Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Free Bus Rides for Bengal Women Fuel Class Tensions
West Bengal lets women ride state-run buses without paying.
This includes some air-conditioned buses in Kolkata.
Women show identification and receive a ticket marked zero value.
The policy has allowed more women, including workers and students, to use more comfortable buses.
Some passengers say the buses are now too crowded or stop too often.
Some women also feel uncomfortable because they are criticized for accepting free rides.
Other women have reported difficulty boarding buses or being harassed on public transport.
One economist said free rides could be limited to regular buses instead of air-conditioned ones.
West Bengal began free rides for women on state-run buses, including air-conditioned services, from June 1.
Women must show an approved identity card and receive a zero-value ticket stating their boarding point and destination.
Some passengers have complained about crowding, longer stops and the presence of women who previously could not afford AC buses.
Several women have reported pressure, harassment or resistance when boarding buses or accepting free tickets.
Economist Abhirup Sarkar suggested limiting the scheme to non-air-conditioned buses to preserve passenger choice and government revenue.
- Who
- The West Bengal government, women passengers, other bus commuters, transport officials and economist Abhirup Sarkar.
- What
- A scheme providing women with free rides on state-run buses, including air-conditioned services, has prompted disputes over crowding, access and social class.
- When
- The scheme began on June 1; the article also cites transport-department figures for June 2026.
- Where
- Kolkata and adjoining areas, with related complaints involving the Kolkata Metro.
- Why
- The policy was introduced to provide women free public transport, but critics say including air-conditioned buses has intensified crowding, conflict and concerns about lost revenue.
Supporters and Beneficiaries
Critics and Concerned Commuters
Access to affordable transport
Supporters and Beneficiaries
The scheme gives women, including workers, students, homemakers and hospital visitors, access to free public transport and greater comfort.
Critics and Concerned Commuters
Some passengers argue free travel should target people who cannot afford fares and say those who can pay should continue doing so.
Including air-conditioned buses
Supporters and Beneficiaries
Women can use the same state-run service regardless of whether the bus is air-conditioned, making more comfortable travel available to them.
Critics and Concerned Commuters
Abhirup Sarkar said AC buses have a degree of exclusivity and should remain paid services to reduce conflict and preserve revenue.
Crowding and service quality
Supporters and Beneficiaries
Women passengers say buses sometimes ignore single women at stops or prevent them from boarding, limiting the scheme's practical benefit.
Critics and Concerned Commuters
Other commuters complain that buses are overcrowded, stop repeatedly to pick up passengers and provide less comfortable journeys.
- Eligibility
- Women of any age can use the free bus service by showing a government-approved identity card.
- Ticket process
- Conductors issue a zero-value ticket after recording the passenger's boarding point and destination.
- Bus deployment
- The transport department said around 600 state-run buses serve Kolkata and adjoining areas, including about 200 air-conditioned buses.
- Routes
- The approximately 200 air-conditioned buses operate on 131 routes, although not every route has AC service.
- Example fare
- A ride from Garia to Dhakuria on the AC-5 bus would otherwise cost Rs 20, compared with an auto fare of Rs 22.
- Reported problems
- Passengers described crowded buses, disputes over free tickets, buses not stopping for women and difficulty boarding.
- Proposed change
- Economist Abhirup Sarkar proposed excluding air-conditioned buses from the scheme.