Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announces free travel for women in Delhi metro, DTC buses
Party announcement; AAP inception
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday announces free travel for women in all Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses, metro and cluster buses.
Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Kejriwal announced, "On all DTC buses, cluster buses and metro trains women will be allowed to travel free of cost so that they have safe travel experience and can access modes of transport which they were not able to, due to high prices."
Kejriwal also said that the move will also encourage women to use more public transport services.
However, the subsidy will not be imposed on anyone.
"Subsidy won't be imposed on anyone. There are several women who can afford these modes of transport. Those who can afford can purchase tickets, they do not need to take subsidy," Kejriwal said.
"We encourage those, who can afford, to buy tickets and not take subsidy so that others could benefit," Kejriwal added.
Kejriwal further informed that one week of time has been given to the officials to make a detailed proposal for both DTC and Delhi Metro on how and when can this be implemented.
"We are making an effort to start this within 2-3 months. We're also seeking suggestions from people, regarding implementation."
While allowing free travel in DTC and cluster buses run by the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal System(DIMTS) may not be difficult, it will be "challenging" to do so in metro trains, transport officials said in a PTI report
The Delhi government and the Centre are 50:50 equity partners in the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.
Meanwhile, the move has received a mixed response from women travellers.
The movecomes in the wake of the disastrous performance of Kejriwal led-Aam Aadmi Party in the recently held Lok Sabha elections in which the party failed to gather even one seat. All seven Lok Sabha seats were won by Bharatiya Janata Party.