Most women commuters hail move, some question longevity
NEWDELHI: Most women commuters on Tuesday hailed the Delhi government’s move to provide free ride to them in DTC and cluster buses, saying it will encourage them to take public transport, ensure their safety and help them save money at the same time.
There was, however, a section of women commuters who questioned the sustainability of the scheme, saying it comes nearly three months ahead of Delhi polls, and wondered whether the next government will continue this programme.
“It is a good initiative. Now, it would be more convenient for women to travel. This will encourage more women to take the bus. We will feel safer. Bus is my regular mode of transport. I drop my children to school in bus,” she homemaker Nisha Kiran Jaiswal. The scheme, launched on Tuesday, has made commuting for women free in Delhi Transport Corporation and cluster buses. The Delhi government has made an arrangement of ~150 crore to meet the expenses incurred for the scheme until March next year.
Anuradha Ghosh, who works as a domestic help, said the scheme will benefit the poor as many a time there is no money to commute.
However, there were some who questioned the timing to launch the scheme and also the cost incurred to fund the initiative. Janakpuri resident Savitri Devi, who works in the Delhi high court, questioned the sustainability of the scheme. “Elections are scheduled in next few months. So will these schemes implemented by the current government be taken forward by the successive government,” she asked.