Will Women Get A Free Bus Ride On Women's Day? Here Is What BMTC Says

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Be it exploring new places, or just going to work in India, travelling by bus is one of the affordable and convenient ways when it comes to transportation. According to a report by World Bank, women are amongst the biggest users of transport in India and 84% of women's trips are estimated to be by public transport.

Due to a lack of safety, women are hesitant to step out. According to the same survey by World Bank, between 2004-2019, while men used two-wheelers to commute to work, women used auto-rickshaws or taxis.

Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has planned to provide free rides to women commuters in order to promote public transport among women on International Women's Day, on 08 March 2023. This proposal has been sent to State Government seeking their permission.

"With the promotion of public transport through free travel, mainly women passengers will be encouraged to rely on public transport for better and safer travel, and the financial burden on the organization will be offset in the near future," read the official letter by BMTC.

Providing safe, well-secured transport facilities for women who go to work and participate in all work areas will also empower them economically, it said.

The BMTC says that the decision has been taken in order to provide safe, well-secured transport facilities for women to go to their work and participate in all work areas and to empower them economically.

BMTC believes that doing this promotional activity will not only boost the image of the corporation but will help them to get more patronage for city bus services. As per estimates, BMTC may have to let go of fare revenue of Rs 8.17 crore on women's Day if the proposal is finalised.

In 2022, Greenpeace, India did a survey on BMTC that said almost one-third of the survey concluded that almost one-third of the surveyors had reported the bus fares to be somewhat expensive. While 79% of the respondents were also in support of free bus travel, especially for targetted groups like women and students as they are far more dependent on public transport.

In fact, as per a survey report on BMTC released by Greenpeace India in 2022, almost one-third of the surveyors had reported the bus fares to be somewhat expensive. Additionally, 79% of the respondents were also in support of free bus travel, especially for women and students because they are far more dependent on public transport.