New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) initiative of providing free bus rides for women in the national capital has significantly benefited them, helping save up to 8% of their monthly household income, improving access to education and employment, and reducing their dependence on family members for commuting, according to a working paper by the World Resources Institute (WRI) India.
The report, titled “Fare-free bus travel scheme for women: Lessons from Delhi,” was released on Thursday and highlighted that the scheme primarily helped women from lower-income groups, allowing them to save between ₹500 and ₹2,300 on monthly transport expenses.
“Over 90% of these women, mostly from economically weaker sections, use buses weekly for work, education, caregiving, and other activities. Nearly 95% of them lack access to a private vehicle and rely on buses due to economic constraints. The Fare-Free Public Transport (FFPT) scheme saved them up to 8% of their household income per month,” the paper stated.
Additionally, the scheme increased the average travel distance of women commuters from 7.92 km to 10.52 km, enabling them to explore better job opportunities across the city. The initiative also fostered a sense of independence, as women could travel without financial concerns.
The findings have reaffirmed the social impact of the AAP government’s initiative, emphasizing the importance of accessible and affordable public transport in empowering women and enhancing their economic mobility.
