Free rides for women in DTC buses from October 29: Arvind Kejriwal

Bus rides will be free for women in Delhi’s government buses from October 29, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Thursday.

“October 29 is the day of Bhai Dooj and that will be my gift to my sisters in Delhi. Meanwhile, I want to assure them that we are working hard towards making metro rides free for women in the city too,” said Kejriwal while addressing a crowd in north Delhi’s Chhatrasal stadium. The free rides will apply to both Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses.

In June, the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi had approved a proposal on free rides for women in buses and metro. While operations of buses in Delhi, both under Delhi Transport Corporation and cluster network, come under the jurisdiction of the city government, in the metro system it is a joint stakeholder with the Centre.

Also read: Delhi Metro fare waiver for women faces hurdles, may take 8 months to be implemented

While the modalities of free transport for women in buses was worked out and cleared by the Delhi cabinet earlier this month, the matter pertaining to metro is currently with the fare fixation committee. A decision on that is still awaited.

“There were many who criticised our decision saying the step was against gender equality. I want to ask them, does gender equality exist in our country in the first place?” said Kejriwal.

He further said the initiative will give them the opportunity to fulfil their aspirations. “Women can use the free public transport for commuting between their homes and schools, colleges and workplaces. Distance and related expense in conveyance will no longer be an obstacle in their empowerment.”

The chief minister’s Independence Day speech also found mentions of the AAP government’s flagship projects, initiatives and achievements such as CCTVs in residential areas, happiness curriculum in schools and the plan to introduce another curriculum to inculcate patriotism among students by next year, water bill waiver for households consuming upto 20,000 litres water per month and 100% exemption on power bill for households consuming up to 200 units a month.