The Punjab Government’s path-breakinginitiative of allowing free bus travel for the women in the government-ownedbuses has received big thumbs and has brought smiles on the faces of the womenpassengers.
One of the woman passengers at Amar ShaheedSukhdev Interstate Bus Terminal, Shashi, who has been travelling to Amritsar fromLudhiana with her family, said that she used to pay Rs 200 as fare per personand now she would be going without paying any single penny. She said that thefree ride is a boon and she was very much happy as this would save enoughmoney.
Sarbjeet Kaur, who has been going toFerozepur thanked Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh for the special gift of afree bus journey as she had to pay Rs 165 for the journey on this route. Shealso said that this historic step would also develop a sense of confidence andsafety among the women passenger beside the middle class and lower classfamilies will be able to save money.
An overwhelmed Jaspreet Kaur who was inAmritsar bound Punjab roadways bus said that she was spending Rs 200 fromLudhiana to her hometown and back to her hometown (Rs 200 fare of one side) butnow this saved money means a lot to her. The travelling into thegovernment-owned buses will be safer and hassle-free, she said. She expressedgratitude towards Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh for this extraordinarydecision of the free bus travel facility.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Varinder KumarSharma said that directions have been issued to all bus drivers/conductors toensure every woman passenger have a safer and hassle-free journey.
He said that the government has alsoinstalled a panic button in all the buses for their protection besides thesebuses have been enabled with GPS technology.
He said that this decision of the PunjabGovernment would strengthen women empowerment in the state and they would beable to contribute more actively to the socio-economic progress of the state.