CHANDIGARH: Women in Punjab can now travel free of cost in all government-run buses within the state from Thursday, with the cabinet today approving the proposal announced by chief minister Amarinder Singh earlier this month.
Amarinder had announced the free travel scheme in the Vidhan Sabha on March 5. The scheme will benefit over 1.31 crore women/girls across the state, said a spokesperson.
Under the scheme, women residents of Punjab can avail free bus travel in Government-owned buses, including PEPSU Road Transport Corporation (PRTC), Punjab Roadways Buses (PUNBUS) and City Bus Services operated by Local Bodies. However, the scheme is not applicable to government-owned AC Buses, Volvo Buses and HVAC Buses. Documents like Aadhaar Card, Voter Card or any other proof of residence in Punjab would be required to avail the facility.
Further, all women who are family members of Punjab Government employees and residing in Chandigarh or are themselves employees of Punjab government but live in Chandigarh, can avail the benefit, irrespective of age and income criteria, of free travel in the said government buses.
This scheme is expected to not only reduce drop-out of girl students in schools because of the high cost of daily transport but also facilitate working women, who have to travel considerable distances to their workplace. Since the scheme is expected to encourage women and their companions to utilize public transport, it would bring down the number of personal vehicles plying on the roads leading to consequent reduction in pollution, accidents and vehicular congestion, the Cabinet felt.