Punjab, Punjab news
Chandigarh: Punjab is set to introduce smart cards for women who use the free bus travel service on state transport buses. While the popular scheme will continue, it is expected to be modified to better target eligible beneficiaries and manage expenditures more effectively.
A senior government official stated that the details for the new smart cards are currently being finalized. Once implemented, these smart cards will replace Aadhaar cards as the required proof of identity for accessing the free travel benefit.
According to an internal review by the Transport Department, approximately 350,000 women use the free bus service daily, with each traveling an average of 42 kilometers per day. The government allocates around ₹60 crore annually to the Transport Department for this purpose. The funds are provided by the Department of Social Security and Women and Child Development based on claims submitted by the Transport Department.
To produce the smart cards, an estimated ₹16 crore is needed. An official noted, “This one-time investment of ₹16 crore will significantly streamline the free travel scheme and allow the department to better analyze the profiles of beneficiaries.”
While the introduction of free bus travel has been broadly supported, private bus operators are advocating for the same benefit. JS Grewal from the Small Bus Operators Association remarked, “Private bus operators are facing substantial losses due to the free travel scheme.”
The increased use of government buses by women, particularly those from lower-income groups, has placed a financial strain on state transport services. The rise in free travelers has led to increased expenses and reduced income from bus passes.
The scheme, which began in 2021 under the Capt Amarinder Singh-led Congress government, currently uses Aadhaar cards as the sole form of identification for free travel. Under the existing system, bus conductors enter the beneficiary’s unique ID number into an electronic ticketing machine.
