Free bus travel for women commences
Strap: Around 90% buses in district are run by private operators
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, April 1
Women were able to travel free of cost in government-run buses from Thursday. Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Khaira attended a ceremony in this regard at a bus stand.
Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner said women can now travel for free in all government buses within the state.
However, they would not be able to avail this service in air-conditioned buses. Women passengers would also need pay fare after a bus enters any other state.
Anil Kumar, general manager, Punjab Roadways (Amritsar) said, “Women have to show an identity card to prove that she is a resident of Punjab during boarding a bus.” He said bus conductors have been instructed to act accordingly and register details of all such passengers.
“If a bus is going to Chandigarh, women will be ferried free till Mohali and will be charged fare from Mohali border to Chandigarh.”
The two depots of Punjab Roadways in Amritsar have around 175 buses. Over the years, the government buses fleet has depleted and do not ply on most routes, especially in rural areas.
A bus conductor on condition of anonymity said, “Around 90 per cent buses plying in the district are operated by private transporters. In such a scenario, benefit will not be much, but roadways will surely suffer loss.” He said more buses should be added to the roadways fleet so that they can give a though competition to private operators.
