Shivneri Sundari: Mumbai-Pune bus to have hostesses

Shivneri Sundari will provide passengers with travel-related information by answering queries and assisting them; a Sena leader calls this scheme “perverted.”

As per Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), passengers will receive high-quality assistance from Shivneri Sundaris. On Tuesday, they announced this new initiative of Shivneri Sundaris for the e-Shivneri buses operating between Mumbai and Pune. The initiative has been created to enhance the travel experience, where trained hostesses would welcome and assist passengers during the journey.

MSRTC says passengers will receive high-quality assistance from Shivneri Sundaris.

MSRTC said passengers would receive high-quality assistance from Shivneri Sundaris at no extra cost. The board is also planning to introduce an innovative scheme in the future to further improve the service standards of the e-Shivneri buses.

Role of Shivneri Sundaris, aka hostesses on Mumbai-Pune buses.

Like flight hostesses, these buses will have Shivneri Sundaris, aka bus hostesses, who will provide passengers with travel-related information by answering queries, taking suggestions and feedback, and assisting them with basic amenities like water, magazines, and newspapers, as reported by The Times of India, quoting MSRTC official. Shivneri Sundaris will be equipped with first aid and a medical kit, offering essential medical assistance if required. They will also ensure the cleanliness of the bus and monitor air conditioning and temperature inside the bus. And, in case of any technical issues, it will be the responsibility of Shivneri Sundaris to inform the driver and the MSRTC authorities. However, they will not serve food inside the bus, but there will be halts en route for the passengers. They will also assist children and senior citizens while boarding and alighting the bus.

Sena leader on Shivneri Sundaris.

Shiv Sena leader (UBT) Priyanka Chaturvedi, after the announcement was made, took to X and wrote, “The tabletop dancers of Goa who were high on khoke and gaddari have come up with this highly perverted and misogynistic idea of ‘Shivneri Sundaris’ who will ‘serve’ passengers traveling in Shivneri buses between Mumbai-Pune and to ‘enhance the travel experience of passengers.”

The Shivneri Sundaris hostess will be assigned a seat at the front of the bus and will have a small cabinet containing necessary supplies.