Bengaluru Airport's Pink Safety Cards Enhance Security for Solo Women Travelers
In Bengaluru, Medha R, a local professional, experienced an unexpected moment of reassurance during a late-night airport taxi ride. As she boarded the cab, a staff member handed her a pink card, initially leaving her puzzled about its purpose. Upon opening it, she discovered it was a safety initiative detailing her rights as a rider and featuring an emergency contact number for assistance.
Initiative Launched to Protect Women During Late-Night Travel
This pink safety card is part of a broader program introduced in 2016 at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) to improve safety for women travelers. Specifically targeting solo women passengers, the initiative distributes these cards during airport taxi rides between 8pm and 6am, aligning with late-night and early-morning flight schedules. Since its inception, over five lakh cards have been issued, offering a tangible sense of security.
A spokesperson for the airport explained, "The pink safety card initiative is designed to make the journey safer and more reassuring for solo women travelers by providing easy access to verified emergency contacts and support systems. Handed over at the boarding point, it is a thoughtful step towards ensuring women travelers feel guided and supported throughout their journey."
Key Features and Rights Outlined on the Cards
The cards are issued to passengers using Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) and Mega airport taxis, while app-based aggregators maintain their own safety protocols, such as in-app SOS buttons and emergency-contact sharing. Each card clearly outlines passenger rights, including:
- The right to a regulated fare set by the state transport authority.
- The right to request drivers to show official fare notifications.
- The entitlement to a non-stop journey to the destination.
- Encouragement to ask drivers to maintain safe driving practices.
In addition to these rights, the card prominently displays an emergency helpline number. Airport officials note that this helpline serves multiple purposes beyond distress situations. "The helpline has received a few distress-related calls. However, its usage extends well beyond emergencies," the spokesperson added. "A significant number of calls come from first-time travelers seeking guidance, clarifications on pickup points, booking-related queries, and even sharing feedback."
Positive Feedback from Commuters and Additional Safety Measures
For many commuters, like Nisarga S, who recently traveled alone from the airport to Basavanagudi late at night, the card has significantly boosted comfort levels. "The safety card made it clear that the taxi was being GPS-tracked and that I could even ask the driver to drive slowly. I received the card, and the staff ensured that the KSTDC app was active on the driver's phone before we started. I felt comfortable throughout the ride," she shared.
Beyond the pink safety cards, the airport has implemented further measures to enhance women's safety. These include women-only cab services operated by trained female drivers, equipped with GPS tracking and SOS alerts, providing an additional layer of protection for travelers.
