On Bhai Dooj, Delhi Women Get Pink Tickets For Free Bus Rides

On the occasion of Bhai Dooj, the AAP government is all set to fulfill its promise of free rides on public buses for women. Delhi Cheif Minister Arvind Kejriwal made the announcement while delivering his last Independence Day speech of his term at Chhatrasal Stadium. He also said that his government is working on making the Metro rides free as well.

The AAP, which holds a 50 percent share in the Delhi Metro, along with the Central Government, plans to provide a free traveling facility on the metro and bus transport system for women in Delhi.

Key Takeaways:

• As per the last Independence Day speech of his term as Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal had promised to offer free rides to women on public buses which might be further extended to free Metro rides.
• A total of Rs 290 crore grants were approved by the Delhi Assembly in August for providing free rides in buses and metro for women.
• The bus conductors will distribute pink tickets having a face value of Rs 10 each to women commuters. 
• There are around 3,700 DTC buses and 1,800 buses under the cluster scheme of the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS).

Pink Tickets

The bus conductors will distribute pink tickets having a face value of Rs 10 to women commuters. The government will then reimburse the transporters based on the number of such tickets issued. Transport Minister Kailash Geholt had tweeted out the information of free rides for women implementation, writing, “Historic day for Delhi!!! Females will travel free in all Buses from 29.10.19. A notification has been issued. Delhi Govt under the dynamic leadership of Hon'ble Cm @ArvindKejriwal stands committed to ensure the safety and security of Female passengers in Buses.”

There are around 3,700 DTC buses and 1,800 buses under the cluster scheme of the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS).

Read More: Five good reasons why free Delhi metro rides will benefit women across society

30 Percent Of Travellers Are Women

According to the Transport Minister Kailash Gehlot, around 30 percent of commuters in DTC and Cluster buses are women. Additionally, women employees of the Delhi government, local bodies and undertakings will not be entitled to transport allowance if they opt for a free ride in Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses. In order to prevent the misuse of single journey passes, the government will ensure strong ticket checking mechanisms.

Women's Safety While Commuting

In June 2019, the Delhi Government had also proposed installing CCTV cameras in the capital so as to ensure women’s safety. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said that this is being done as a part of the project that aims to boost the security of women in the national capital. According to him, the government has already started working towards installing 1.4 lakh CCTV cameras.

The bus conductors will distribute pink tickets having a face value of Rs 10 to women commuters. The government will then reimburse the transporters based on the number of such tickets issued.

Delhi government at the beginning of June announced that it wants to make the commute easier for women in the capital by making Delhi Metro free for them. The AAP, which holds a 50 percent share in the Delhi Metro, along with the Central Government, plans to provide a free traveling facility on the metro and bus transport system for women in Delhi. However, DMRC officials sought at least eight months’ time to make necessary preparations, including seeking approval from the fare-fixation committee.

Picture Credit: The Tribune

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