Old buses converted to women toilets in Pune

Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) old buses have been converted into toilets for women with an aim to provide better toilet amenities for them.

This initiative is called ‘Toilets For Her’  and so far three worn out buses have been remodeled to be used as toilets.

Every solar operated bus have five toilets-three Indian style and two western style. The toilets also have sanitary napkin dispensing machine. To ensure safety, panic buttons have been installed in every bus.

“Initially, women would hesitate to enter the bus, but once they check the cleanliness and safety, they use the facility and give a good feedback about the service,” said Sunita Kamble (name changed), attendant.

“We are soon going to add 10 more buses after receiving satisfactory feedback about the service. We are identifying areas where we can start more such services and it will be done in the coming month’s time ,” said Suresh Jagtap, Joint Municipal Commissioner and incharge of PMC’s sanitation department.
“At present, the use of toilet services is free of charge, but we are pondering over making it more commercially viable by adding nominal fee to the users,” informed Jagtap.