'Welcome to the tribe', say women drivers as Bengaluru opens its roads to more female auto drivers this February 14

As Bengaluru prepares to roll out a women-only auto service, women drivers already on the road are welcoming those who are set to earn their living behind the wheel — even as they continue to navigate roads and deal with the lack of basic infrastructure such as clean toilets and safe rest spaces. Ahead of the launch, we speak to women auto drivers about what it truly takes to survive, stay safe, and claim space in a profession long dominated by men.

BETWEEN PRIDE AND PRACTICALITY
Safura, a 29-year-old auto driver whose video went viral on social media, says public reactions still surprise her. “People look at me in surprise when I stop at a signal, like, ‘Oh, she’s a girl driving an auto!’ It’s special attention, and not in a bad way. It makes me happy eve ry single day,” she says. But beneath the novelty lies a more pressing concern. “There are no proper toilets for women. Public toilets are not well spread out, and I struggle to use them,” she adds.

Rajeshwari, who earlier worked in housekeeping, took up auto driving after learning about training op portunities for women. “As women, we should take whatever learning comes our way,” she says. For her, the biggest advantage is flex ibility. “I love riding the auto across the city. Being a mother, it gives me flexibili ty that a fixed job never did,” she explains. But, like many women drivers, she admits that the lack of ac cessible washrooms often forces her to drink less wa ter during long work hours.

THE STRUGGLES WOMEN DRIVERS FACE
In Bengaluru, female auto drivers represent a small but growing segment of the workforce, but not without issues like:

• Lack of clean public toilets
• Hostility from male colleagues
• Safety concerns while driving at night
• Financial restraints
• Social stigma and gender bias

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