The “Bhai Dooj” festival turned out to be a real gift for women and girls as they were pleasantly surprised to learn that the free ride in Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses was not confined to the day of festival.
Earlier, most of women commuters were under the impression that it was the usual free ride provided by the Delhi Government on Raksha Bandhan and Bhai Dooj every year. They praised the Delhi Government scheme, calling it a desired step towards women empowerment.
“I thought that the free ride is only for a day on Bhai Dooj. It is a very good initiative by the Government for women and girls who travel far for work and studies. Moreover, married women and housewives like us can also go to our maternal homes whenever we wish to. Till yesterday, we were dependent on our husbands, but it is free now, thanks to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal,” said Kusum Singh, who was travelling to Laxmi Nagar from RK Puram Sector-1.
Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who flagged off the free ride scheme on Tuesday, said the Government may extend the scheme to senior citizens and students studying in Delhi.
Another woman Rekha, who travels to INA from Wazirabad for work as a security guard, said, “Earlier, I thought it’s just a poll promise. Many political parties announce such scheme, but rarely fulfil it. However, today I am elated as I will save `1,000 and can invest on my daughters’ study.”
However, a section of women commuters in bus number 720 said, “The scheme is very good, but the Government should also upgrade the facility, like increasing the number of buses and frequency. There are some routes where buses ply at an hour interval. It pushes many women to opt for metro, which is costlier means of travel.”
The conductors in various DTC and cluster buses distributed pink ticket with Delhi CM’s photo printed on it and also explained the passengers about the scheme.
The Delhi Government has earmarked `150 crore to meet the expenses to be incurred on the scheme until March next year.
Sindhu, a teacher working in a Government school at Janakpuri, said, “The scheme is good and the Government has done wonderful job for the safety of women by deploying marshals in buses. Although we want this Government only but what if any other party wins and will end this scheme in future.”
Women taking Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses were on Tuesday issued pink tickets of face value of Rs 10 by conductors under the scheme. The Government will reimburse transporters based on the number of such tickets issued.
Currently, there are 5,500 buses, out of which around 3,700 are DTC buses and 1,800 come under the cluster scheme of the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS).
Further, as per the officials, there are only 11 per cent working force consists of women and only 30 per cent of women daily travel in metro and buses. While, the 70 per cent men travel in bus and metro.
