Indian States Give Women Free Bus Passes

Free bus passes are unlocking economic opportunities for women in India, according to an article by Kavitha Yarlagadda republished in Next City. “In 2019, Delhi was the first place in the country to provide women with complimentary tickets printed on pink paper, and earlier this year, the state administration reported that more than one billion have been used thus far. Other states that have launched similar programs include Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Telangana.”

The simple but effective move helps Indian women eliminate a major barrier to accessing jobs and other daily needs. “Without the bus, these women would walk on average three to five kilometers a day, which can cut down their annual earnings by up to a quarter.” 

The program has also created economic benefits for transit agencies. “The number of people utilizing public transport has increased, as has the revenue of all four road transport corporations (RTCs) in Karnataka, thanks to the Shakti project. Ridership and the transport department’s revenue both increased following the introduction of this system.”

Yarlagadda adds that the increased visibility of women on public transit is “an important step towards normalizing women’s presence in all sectors of society.”