Kolkata: State women and child development and social welfare minister Agnimitra Paul on Monday announced that all women would be able to travel free on government buses from June 1. This initiative was part of the BJP's manifesto for the recent election.
"Women in Bengal will be able to travel free on government buses from June 1. The measure is expected to benefit lakhs of women, including students and working professionals, who rely on public transport. We are rolling out a lot of schemes from June 1. From June 1, women can travel by state buses for free, as announced in our sankalp patra," said Paul.
A state transport department official stated that they were ready to implement the new policy. The department is also exploring the possibility of issuing a "pink ticket" to women.
Several Indian states and union territories offer free bus rides for women to boost mobility and economic participation. Year-round, state-run bus schemes exist in Delhi, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Telangana, and Jammu & Kashmir. These schemes apply to ordinary and express state-owned transport corporation buses.
Free bus travel is believed to empower women by enhancing mobility, increasing access to education and jobs, and fostering financial independence, directly addressing structural barriers to gender equality. By eliminating transport costs, women save significant income, around Rs 600 per month, which is often redirected towards family nutrition, health, and children's education.
"This will be a huge help. I spend around Rs 1,500 on Metro and auto fares every month. Now I can job-hunt freely without worry," said homemaker Priyanka Roy from Deshapriya Park.
Office-goer Neha Gupta, 28, from Greenfield City added, "This will also ensure a safer bus ride." Student Debjani Nandy, 20, said, "Affordable education access is required. I do hope there are enough buses for us to avail."
"For many women, the bus is the ticket to financial freedom. If the buses are frequent and the wait is not too long, then it will be of help. But we hope it is not tokenism," said Amrita Dasgupta, executive director of women's rights NGO Swayam.
Private bus operators fear losing a section of passengers. "Given that the state is serious about increasing their own fleet and paying special attention to the transport sector, it is natural women will prefer to take state buses over private ones," said a member of the City Suburban Bus Service union.
