Over 99K women benefit from free travel scheme in two days

Tribune News Service

Patiala, April 4

In the first two days, 99,045 women passengers availed the benefit of the free travel scheme in Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) buses.

The scheme was launched by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on April 1.

KK Sharma, Chairman, PRTC, said the women passengers paid zero fare for their journey in the PRTC buses — which amounts to benefits worth Rs 41.84 lakh in two days.

Sharma said all the depot managers, bus drivers, conductors and ticket checkers of the PRTC had already been told to extend the benefits of free bus travel to the women.

On April 1, a total of 27,589 women passengers availed the benefit, while 71,456 women passengers benefited from the scheme on April 2, he said.

Kuldeep Kaur, a woman passenger travelling from Chandigarh to Bathinda, said the Punjab Government had realised the plight of women and took such a big decision.

She viewed the decision as revolutionary one that would prompt the woman folk to go out. “It would emancipate the women,” said Kuldeep Kaur.

Poonam, a resident of Patiala’s Urban Estate, who has to travel daily to Naugavan School for her work, said the Punjab Government’s decision would save her Rs 4,000 per month which would help her in meeting other household expenditures.

Free ride

• The free travel scheme in Pepsu Road Transport Corporation buses was launched by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on April 1.
• KK Sharma, Chairman, PRTC, said the women passengers paid zero fare for their journey in the PRTC buses — which amounts to benefits worth Rs 41.84 lakh in two days

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.