Women can travel free in DTC buses from October 29
The Cabinet gave its in-principle approval to the transport department's proposal of free travel to women passengers in all DTC and cluster buses.
New Delhi: The Delhi Cabinet on Thursday approved free rides for women in DTC and cluster buses in the national capital. Women will be able to commute on Delhi Transport Corporation buses for free from October 29 this year, which also marks the occasion of Bhai Dooj.
The Cabinet gave its in-principle approval to the transport department’s proposal of free travel to women passengers in all DTC and cluster buses. Out of the allotted Rs 290 crore, Rs 140 crore was allocated to DTC and its cluster buses, while Rs 150 crore was allocated to Delhi Metro.
Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced on August 15 that the free travel in DTC buses will start from October 29. The date for Delhi Metro is yet to be fixed.
Women will be able to get free rides using “single-journey passes” to be available with the bus conductors. Women passengers not willing to take free ride may buy tickets, said Delhi transport minister Kailash Gahlot.
DTC had offered free rides on its AC and non-AC buses to women passengers during Raksha Bandhan this year, which also happened to be Independence Day.
The Cabinet decision stated that single-journey duration passes will be issued to women passengers in DTC and cluster buses.
The free travel scheme will be voluntary — any female passenger, who wants to purchase a journey ticket, will be free to do so. Further, to curb any misuse, the government has asked DTC and DIMTS (Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System) to strengthen their ticket checking mechanisms.
Women officials of Delhi government, local bodies, and undertakings will not be entitled for transport allowance and the departments, local bodies, and autonomous bodies will take an undertaking from their female government servants to ensure that they are not availing this facility.
There shall be no separate ticket for luggage with female passengers within the limit prescribed by DTC. This facility will also be applicable to airport and female commuters will be allowed free travel in DTC and cluster buses plying in the NCR region.