Free-Ride Scheme In Delhi State Run Buses Start From Today For All The Women. Here’s What You Need To Know!

Free-Ride Scheme In Delhi State Run Buses Start From Today For All The Women. Here’s What You Need To Know!

Being born and raised in a city like Delhi, there are a number of skills that you acquire over the years. Those are the skills always come in handy, especially if you’re a woman. But even after knowing self-defense, or constantly looking over your shoulder when you leave the comfort and safety of your house, you can’t ever be safe enough. Which is perhaps why, to make travel in Delhi for women a little bit safer and more accessible, the AAP government has finally followed through with its promise of making public transport in buses free of cost for women. And even though we do not have high hopes tied with it, we think it *might* just make all the difference.

Also Read : Dear Kejriwal, Free Transport Will Not Make Women Safer. We Do Hope It Will Give Them A Fighting Chance, Though

Starting today itself, as what seems like a ‘Bhai-dooj‘ present for all the women, Kejriwal has made good on his promise of free-rides in the DTC Buses. With a population of over 4.4 million that travel in buses all over India, 35% of whom are women, it is estimated that this move will not just ensure easier accessibility for women around the city, especially at odd hours, but also promote a sense of security among women who now know they’d have no trouble in going from one place to another.

A scheme that has been kept optional for women, considering those who can actually afford the travel fee must do it, involves issuing women a pink single-journey ticket, with which they can travel without worrying about not making the fare. To support and strengthen the idea behind the cause, which really is to ensure safe travel, several marshals shall also be deployed in the 5,558 public DTC buses, to keep the safety of senior citizens, children and women in check.

Kejriwal, talking about this scheme shared with the media how, “On the occasion of Bhai Dooj, the Delhi government will implement the free bus ride scheme for women from tomorrow (Tuesday). To ensure women, students, senior citizens, and every passenger feel safe during public transit, we are deploying marshals in every bus from Tuesday.”

This scheme is not just limited to Delhi, it also covers all NCR areas. This means women travelling to and fro neighboring cities like Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad and Faridabad will too be able to avail the pink-ticket facility of free-rides.

Whether or not this free-ride scheme by the Aam Aadmi Party government turns to be a success, we are yet to find out. But until then, we solemnly hope, it improves the safety concerns of the city and ensures relatively safe travel for everyone. More so now, considering the buses are anticipated to be over-flowing with individuals, making it trickier to maintain decorum. But maybe this is an important start towards change, even if it isn’t a really promising one.

Also Read : Arvind Kejriwal’s Proposal To Make Travel In Public Transport Free For Women For ‘Safety’ Reasons Is Absolute Nonsense

Sadhika Sehgal

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