In a first, Hyderabad Metro deploys transgender staff for security and passenger aid

In a landmark move for public transport in India, the Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) has formally inducted 20 transgender persons into its security workforce, a step officials describe as integral to enhancing passenger safety and fostering an inclusive commuting environment.

The newly appointed staff, who have completed a comprehensive induction and security training programme, began their duties on Monday. They have been deployed across selected stations and will also patrol inside trains. Their primary mandate is to strengthen safety protocols, with a particular focus on the network's significant female ridership, which HMRL estimates constitutes 30% of its passengers.

The recruitment marks a significant milestone in the organisation's mission. The personnel's responsibilities are multifaceted, extending beyond traditional security.

Their duties encompass women commuter safety, providing passenger guidance and information, monitoring baggage scanner operations and maintaining a visible security presence at concourse and street-level areas. They are also tasked with contributing to overall station security to ensure a safe, orderly and welcoming environment.

Metro officials framed the initiative as a dual-purpose strategy. The engagement of transgender personnel marks a significant milestone in HMR’s mission to create a safe, inclusive and commuter-friendly environment. It further noted that their presence would "reinforce the safety framework, especially for women commuters," while simultaneously underscoring the metro's commitment to societal inclusivity.

The initiative has been welcomed by observers as a progressive step in a sector where visible transgender employment remains rare. By integrating transgender individuals into frontline, public-facing roles, the HMRL is not only addressing practical security needs but also challenging social stigmas and setting a precedent for other public service providers in the country.

The move reflects a growing, albeit gradual, trend in the Indian corporate and public sectors to embrace diversity and inclusion policies more formally. For the daily commuter, the change promises a more reassuring travel experience; for the new employees, it represents a tangible move towards greater economic participation and social acceptance.