The Delhi government’s ambitious free ride scheme for women in public buses rolled out in the city on October 29, with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hailing it as a “historic move” that will increase women’s role in Delhi’s economy besides empowering them.

Under the scheme launched on the occasion of Bhai Dooj, more than 2.20 lakh female commuters were issued pink tickets to avail free rides in Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses on the first day.

The chief minister said that the Delhi government will also deliberate on providing free bus rides to senior citizens and students based on the results of the scheme for women.

The move comes a few months ahead of the Delhi Assembly election.

According to DTC data, a total of 6.76 lakh commuters were issued tickets in the first shift, of whom 2.20 lakh or 32.65 per cent were women. The maximum number of pink tickets (71,458) were issued in the north region and minimum (42,140) in the south region of DTC.

The scheme was announced in June by Kejriwal with his government setting aside Rs 140 crore to compensate for free travel to women in around 5,600 buses of DTC and cluster scheme of Delhi Integrated Multi Modal System (DIMTS).

The government had announced free rides for women in public transport, including Metro trains, but the scheme has been started with buses first.

Transport minister Kailash Gahlot had earlier said that around 30 per cent of bus riders travelling in DTC and cluster buses every day are estimated to be women.

Accordingly, arrangements have been made for printing around 1.5 crore single journey passes (pink tickets). The daily ridership of DTC and cluster buses is over 45 lakh, said a government official.

The scheme is voluntary and those who do not avail the facility may purchase tickets.

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