October 29, 2024– Greenpeace India has released its latest report – Riding the Justice Route; Free Bus Travel as a Step Towards Gender- Just Public Transport in Delhi. This report evaluates the transformative impact of the Delhi Government Fare Free Bus scheme for women launched in October 2019. The Scheme allows women to travel fare free in all AC & Non AC buses operated by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and Delhi Integrated Multimodal Transport System (DIMTS) using a ‘pink ticket’—a single-journey free travel pass.The policy has issued over 100 crore pink tickets as of 2024.
The fare-free bus travel scheme has significantly reduced transportation costs for women, with 75% reporting savings on transport. Of these, 67% now spend less than ₹1,000 per month. Women are redirecting these savings in various ways: 54% toward household expenses, 50% for emergencies, 33% for personal purchases, and 15% toward healthcare and education. Since its implementation in October 2019 – 23% of women who previously used buses reported more frequent travel, while 15% of women who rarely or never used buses are now regular users.Overall, 25% of women have increased their bus usage due to the scheme. The report also explores how the Pink Ticket has helped reduce involuntary immobility and assesses its role in boosting women’s confidence and sense of safety while traveling by public buses.
Greenpeace India’s Campaigner Aakiz Farooq says “Since the introduction of Delhi’s free bus travel scheme for women, we have seen a significant increase in ridership among women. However, for this initiative to truly transform our cities, it is essential to boost public bus infrastructure, expand the fleet, and ensure reliable, safe, accessible and well connected services, especially for first and last mile connectivity. By Incentivising public transport, We can tackle some of our cities’ most pressing environmental challenges, from reducing greenhouse gas emission to curbing air pollution. An efficient, safe, connected and reliable public transport system will encourage even more people to make the shift to public transit, supporting our fight against the air pollution and climate crisis. Looking at the benefits of this scheme, we are also calling for a national policy that combines fare-free public bus travel for women and transgender people with a commitment to building an efficient, reliable, safe, connected and accessible public transport system to reshape India’s cities.”
Although the scheme has improved women’s mobility, several challenges still persist – 14% of low-income women reported facing insults from male passengers. 77% of women feel unsafe when using buses after 5 PM due to poor lighting and bus frequency, with many experiencing harassment while traveling or waiting for buses. When the bus halts at the stop, people rush to board the bus. Women say that men take this as an opportunity to “push”, “touch”, “grope” and “lean” on them. This kind of harassment continues inside the bus; the women who travel standing are often the victims as buses are overcrowded.
“While the impact of the free bus travel scheme is undeniable, we must also ask why it remains inaccessible to many women, especially those from marginalized groups. Addressing the physical and social barriers to their access would be a good starting point to ensure that buses offer a safe and welcoming environment for women bus users. The real success of the scheme will be achieved when women are not simply seen as beneficiaries who are ‘tolerated’ on buses but as equal citizens who are ‘included’ in the public transport system”, says Archana Singh, Author of the Report.
In addition to safety and capacity issues, several other concerns need addressing. 76% of women walk over ten minutes to reach a bus stop, often in unsafe conditions due to poor lighting, lack of footpaths, and malfunctioning traffic signals. Infrastructure challenges include inadequate lighting at bus stops, insufficient shelters, and unclear route information. Only 21% of women reported that buses arrive on time, and just 7% noted that buses stop long enough for comfortable boarding. These issues must be resolved to create an effective public transportation system. Ensuring safe, free, and accessible transport for women is crucial for fostering inclusivity and improving their travel experience.
The most visible impact of the fare-free bus travel scheme has been women’s stronger presence in public buses. Survey data shows that 88% of women perceive an overall increase in bus usage, and 87% have reported that the scheme has reduced the need for walking long distances to access essential services.
As a result, women are increasingly taking up job opportunities, accessing educational institutions and services more frequently, and exploring public spaces for leisure and socialization, all while saving on out-of-pocket travel costs.
“Public bus transport has been vital in my journey toward exploring my freedom. Before the introduction of the Pink Ticket service, I often hesitated to take trips, as even a single journey could cost 100 to 200 rupees. Now, with the Pink Ticket, I can embark on longer journeys without the worry of cost, truly enjoying the freedom to travel.”said Deepali Tonk, a social activist who frequently commutes by public bus for work.
The policy supports both women’s rights and environmental sustainability by reducing reliance on private vehicles. The importance of transport for climate action is further recognized under the UNFCCC- The transport sector will be playing a particularly important role in the achievement of the Paris Agreement, given the fact close to a quarter of energy-related global greenhouse gas emissions come from transport and that these emissions are projected to grow substantially in the years to come.
Greenpeace India calls for the nationwide adoption of fare free public transport for women and transgender, urging the government to implement a National Program On Fare Free Public Transport For Women. Together, fare-free public transport for women initiative and an efficient public transport system can create spaces that benefit everyone while addressing the pressing environmental challenges our cities face.
Annexure I
Key Highlights
- Free Public Transport Initiative: Launched in October 2019, Delhi became the first Indian region to offer fare-free bus travel for women of all ages and backgrounds.
- Ticket Milestone: By 2024, the scheme has issued over 100 crore pink tickets, significantly boosting women’s bus usage.
- Increased Travel Frequency: Since the scheme’s introduction, 23% of women report more regular travel, with 15% newly using buses.
- Positive Perception: Around 88% of women believe the scheme has enhanced bus usage, while 87% appreciate the reduced need to walk long distances.
- Financial Benefits: Seventy-five percent of women have seen a drop in monthly transport expenses, with many now spending less than ₹1,000.
- Impact on Household Finances: Savings from reduced transport costs are being redirected, with 54% allocated to household expenses and 50% to emergency funds.
- Social Challenges: While only 4% of women face harassment on buses, the figure rises to 14% for low-income women, highlighting disparities in experiences.
- Accessibility Issues: A significant 76% of women walk over ten minutes to bus stops, facing safety risks due to poor infrastructure.
- Service Reliability Concerns: Only 21% feel buses arrive on time, with many reporting inadequate stops and poor lighting at bus stations.
- Suggestions for Improvement: Women seek more female conductors, better safety measures, improved bus stop facilities, and clearer route information to enhance their travel experience.
Annexure II
About Greenpeace India:
Greenpeace India is a non-profit, environmental campaign organisation dedicated to promoting climate change mitigation, adaptation, and just transition. Through non-violent creative actions and campaigns, we aim to build systems that are green, inclusive, and sustainable. We are an independent organisation, fully funded by Indian individual donors, who are dedicated to the cause of climate justice.