The Metro trains in Lucknow are going to be the first in India to be operated only by women drivers.
The inaugural run, to be held on September 5, will be flagged off by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is also a Member of Parliament from the constituency. As many as 21 women drivers have already been selected and trained to manage the network. In fact, the trial run held in December, 2016, was also managed by two women drivers.
During the inaugural run, two Metro trains will be run for a very short route — four stations from Transportnagar to Charbagh. The four-coach trains will have a capacity to accommodate nearly 1,100 passengers at a time, with a seating capacity for 200 people.
The coaches have been equipped with LED lights and CCTV cameras to keep a check on eve-teasing and other petty crimes. Besides, the Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation (LMRC) has made provisions for separate sections for women and physically challenged people.
Meanwhile, the LMRC started selling Go Smart Cards on Friday. The Metro Tourism Cards will be available for Rs 200, starting September 6. Also, in a first, the LMRC will calculated the fare not on the basis of the distance travelled but the number of stations. The minimum fare has been fixed at Rs 10 and maximum at Rs 60. Children below the height of 90 cm will not be charged.
