The state government of West Bengal has implemented a free bus service for women throughout the state as an attempt to fulfill a major election pledge. Under the scheme, women will be able to travel without having to pay for their tickets in any bus run by the transport corporations of the state. The scheme took effect from June 1, and it will offer women free traveling in all buses run by the government of West Bengal.
Women will now be able to avail themselves of free travels in buses run by different state transport corporations such as the WBTC, NBSTC, and SBSTC. It is worth mentioning that the scheme will apply to travels in city buses as well as inter-district long distance buses.
The main aim of implementing the scheme is to ensure free traveling in order to cut down the expense involved in using public transportation and make travel easier. The scheme will help mainly women who work outside or go to college or university along with homemakers and elderly women.
For the utilization of free travel services, it is necessary for women to submit their valid identity papers while applying for a special travel card. The acceptable types of documents include Aadhaar Card, Voter ID (EPIC), Rural Employment Job Card, Ayushman Bharat Health Card, Driving License, PAN Card, Passport, photo identity papers related to pensions, and identity papers from recognized educational institutes. Furthermore, applicants need to submit one latest passport size photograph along with the application.
Till the travel card issuance period, eligible women shall be provided with ‘zero fare’ tickets from the bus conductors based on their submission of identity cards. These tickets shall show the point of boarding and destination point but do not need to pay anything by the passenger. The Department of Transport has put up notices regarding the required identity papers and how to apply for the travel card.
Additionally, bus drivers and conductors have been given special training for this programme. The introduction of this initiative has made quite a stir amongst women in the entire state. Many have been supportive of the step, mentioning that the savings made on transport could be used for other necessities like expenditure at home, education, health care, and so forth. This step will also lead to an increased number of women using public transport due to which they would travel more often.
It is also felt that reduced travel expenses will ensure greater participation of women in different spheres of life, such as education and employment, as well as make them more independent. This will also ensure that women find it easier to discover their potential in new ways and engage socially as well as economically in society. On the very first day of the implementation of this scheme, BJP state General Secretary Shashi Agnihotri visited various places to assess how the scheme was being implemented. He was very much impressed with the scheme and mentioned that it had helped in creating a good mood among women who benefited from it. He also added that there should be a need for an increase in the number of buses in the upcoming months.
The Transport Department officials believe that the program will have a favorable effect in the long run on the well-being of women as well as on the public transport system of West Bengal. The main idea behind the program is that it would make travel by buses free of cost for women. Thus, this would benefit them in terms of increased mobility and financial gains. With the start of this program, the government officials are expected to keep a close watch on its performance and improve it wherever necessary. This will enable the program to achieve its desired results for women in West Bengal.
1 thought on “From 1st June Free Ride for West Bengal Women in SBSTC, WBTC, NBSTC buses”