Women Must Carry Valid ID To Avail Free Bus Rides In West Bengal
West Bengal mandates ID documents for women’s free bus rides.
The West Bengal Transport Department has issued a notification outlining the identity documents that women must carry to avail themselves of the state government’s free bus ride scheme on state-run transport services, set to come into effect from June 1.
The notification, released on Thursday, states that women passengers will be required to present valid identification to ensure that only eligible residents benefit from the initiative. The move is aimed at streamlining verification while implementing the new welfare measure across the state’s public transport network.
According to the guidelines, documents such as Aadhaar card, EPIC (voter ID), Grameen Rozgar Guarantee Card, Ayushman Bharat Health Card, driving licence, PAN card, passport, pension documents with photograph, and service identity cards issued by government bodies or public sector undertakings will be accepted. Student identity cards issued by schools, colleges, and universities, as well as any official ID issued by the West Bengal government, will also be valid for verification.
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To further facilitate the rollout, the state government plans to issue smart cards with QR codes containing the beneficiary’s photograph and name. Applications for these cards are to be submitted to the relevant Block Development Officer (BDO) or Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO). Until the smart cards are issued, women will be allowed to use any of the approved photo identity documents to access the scheme.
The notification also clarifies that bus conductors will issue “zero value” or thermal tickets after verifying identity documents, ensuring a record of usage without any fare collection. Authorities have stated that these measures are intended to maintain transparency and prevent misuse while enabling smooth implementation of the scheme.
The free travel initiative is part of the state’s broader effort to enhance women’s mobility and access to public services through subsidised or no-cost transport. Officials say the programme is designed to support daily commuters, particularly those from lower and middle-income groups, while improving participation in education, work, and other social activities.
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