Pune: In what can be termed as a sheer display of apathy towards senior citizens and commuters with special needs, Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) Shivneri bus driver zoomed off even after being told by a relative accompanying them that they were only a few metres away from the bus. The bus left without waiting for a senior citizen and a passenger at the Swargate depot even when they were around. The relative accompanying the duo had informed the staff to wait for two minutes.
Manoj Dube had booked tickets for Meena Dube (69), Neeraj Dube (39) and Ratnavali Dube (19) for a Thane-bound Shivneri Bus. However, even after reaching the depot in time, the bus left without them as Meena could not walk fast to board the bus. The incident took place even after Ratnavali informed the driver and his assistant that her grandmother was just a few metres away from the bus and she had difficulty in walking. This incident took place on last Saturday afternoon. Manoj Dube, son of Meena Dube, has filed a complaint against the driver and the lady staff to the depot manager.
According to Manoj Dube, he booked tickets for his mother Meena, brother Neeraj and Ratnavali to Thane.
“My daughter Ratnavali was going to get operated in a Thane hospital on Sunday. My mother walks slowly due to her age and my brother was with her. The bus was slated for departure at 2.30 pm from the Swargate bus stand. They reached the stand at 2.25 pm. My daughter rushed to the driver and informed him that her grandmother and her uncle were walking towards the bus. She requested him to wait for just two minutes. But the bus passed right in front of them,” Manoj said.
When contacted, Sunil Bhokre, Swargate Depot Manager, said, “The bus cannot leave passengers without picking them up if they already reached at the depot. The bus will only leave without passengers if they do not come on time. I will seek a detailed report and action will be taken after the report.”
