Women can ride DTC and cluster buses for free in Delhi from October 29 as the much-awaited “Free Ride Scheme” was approved by the the AAP Government Cabinet on Thursday.
“Women commuters will be able to get free rides using ‘single-journey passes’ to be available with the bus conductors. Those not willing to avail free ride may buy tickets,” Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal termed his Cabinet’s approval to the scheme a “revolutionary step” towards “empowerment and safety of women”.
However, women employees of the city Government have to give up their transport allowance to avail the facility. According to a statement, women employees of the Delhi Government, local bodies and undertakings will not be entitled for transport allowance if they opt for free ride in DTC and cluster buses.
“The departments, local bodies, autonomous bodies, etc, will take an undertaking from their women staff to the effect,” it said.
The Transport Department will also write to the Ministry of Finance after implementation of the scheme to consider issuing necessary instructions in this regard to all Ministries, Central Government departments and autonomous bodies in Delhi, the statement added.
In the Monsoon Session of the Assembly, the Delhi Government approved a supplementary grant of Rs 140 crore for free women ride scheme.
The Delhi Cabinet chaired by the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has directed the DTC to propose suitable amendments in DTC (free & concessional passes) Regulations, 1985 subject to any alterations, if any, so that the same may be notified in the official gazette.
The Government has announced to reimburse the DTC and Delhi Integrated Multi Modal Transit Limited (DIMTS) Rs 10 per single journey duration pass and similar payment in the designated account of cluster scheme for proper accounting of this facility will be done by the Government.
The Government has further asked the DTC and DIMTS to strengthen their ticket checking mechanisms to ensure that the facility is not misused and to plug any possible pilferage in issuance of passes for free travel of women.
There shall be no separate ticket for luggage with women passengers, within the limit prescribed by the DTC. Free travel will be applicable in all airport and other special airport route and NCR routes.
According to the official data, total number of passengers travelling daily in DTC buses is around 38 lakh, while about 12 lakh passengers use cluster buses, out of which 30 per cent are women passengers.
However, there is no update and approval of free ride scheme for Delhi Metro yet.