Ticket to Freedom? Women React to Free DTC Bus Rides in Delhi

Camera: SK Maurya

Video Editor: Abhishek Sharma

On the first day of its implementation, Tuesday, 29 October, the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government’s move to offer free rides on DTC buses on women received mixed response. While most women passengers expressed happiness at not having to pay anything for their commute, some were critical of the government’s claim that the move will make the national capital safer for women.

Rits Misra, a nurse, was elated as she’d saved Rs 120 on her commute from Noida to West Delhi’s Naraina. “I am extremely happy as I saved Rs 120, which I usually spend. It’s good for women who can’t afford to travel in buses,” she said.

In a similar vein, Mamata said that women often have to rely on others to travel from one place to another. She hailed the government’s move as one that “would help women be independent of men.”

Some women, however, questioned the argument of women’s safety the government has posited.

Ashmita said, “I understand free rides for women but how does it make Delhi any safer? In fact, they should make Metro rides free.”

When asked how DTC buses could be made safer, most women passengers said they wanted the government to ply women-only buses. “Drunk men often misbehave with women in buses, we don’t feel safe to travel at night. The government should launch women-only buses. This will be really helpful,” a woman passenger said.

Another opined that free rides alone won’t make the capital city safer for women and laid emphasis on more policing and lit-up dark stretches. “After getting down at the bus stop, we often have to walk through dark patches, it should change,” said Naina.

Free bus rides or not, all women agreed the safety measures deployed in the capital city need an upgrade as does people’s mindset towards women. Shivani said, “The fact that women don’t feel safe should be a matter of concern for both men and women. Only when there is a change in the way we think, can women feel more safe.”