Delhi Metro Rides to be free for women: CM Arvind Kejriwal

In view of Delhi Assembly elections, Delhi Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal has announced free Delhi Metro and DTC bus rides for women in National Captial at a press conference. The expenses of the free ride scheme will be borne by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi.

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Announcement for FREE Rides in Delhi Metro and Buses
Announcement for FREE Rides in Delhi Metro and Buses
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DELHI (Metro Rail News): In view of Delhi Assembly elections, Delhi Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal has announced free Delhi Metro and DTC bus rides for women in National Captial at a press conference. The expenses of the free ride scheme will be borne by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi. Arvind Kejriwal said that the scheme to provide free Delhi Metro and DTC rides has been announced so that women have safe travel experience in Delhi.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • The expenses of the free ride scheme will be borne by Delhi govt
  • The scheme was announced so that women have safe travel experience in Delhi, Kejriwal said
  • Arvind Kejriwal said that the free ride scheme is optional.
  • It will cost 1600 cr for 1 year.

He further said that on all DTC buses, cluster buses and metro trains, women will be allowed to travel free of cost so that they have safe travel experience and can access modes of transport which they were not able to, due to high prices.

Some of them think it’s a good initiative for women and senior citizens, while others are saying that the Delhi government’s decision is completely unjustified and defies Gender ‘Equality’.

Freeride scheme is optional

CM Arvind Kejriwal Clarifying that subsidy will not be imposed on anyone, free ride scheme is optional.

“There are several women who can afford these modes of transport. Those who can afford can purchase tickets, they needn’t take subsidy. We encourage those, who can afford, to buy tickets and not take subsidy so that others could benefit,” CM Arvind Kejriwal added.

Delhi government would bear the expense, around Rs 1,600 crore for the year. He added that the decision has been taken keeping the safety of women in mind. It would take about three months for the rollout of the scheme.

Although, the scheme is just a proposal and has not been launched yet. Arvind Kejriwal said he has given a week time to the Delhi government officials to make a detailed proposal to both DTC and the Delhi Metro.

two – three month to implement

“I’ve given one-week time to officials to make a detailed proposal – for both DTC and metro – on how and when can this be implemented. We’re making an effort to start this within 2-3 months. We’re also seeking suggestions from people, regarding implementation.” he said.

CM Arvind Kejriwal Said” Initially, we had told the Centre not to increase the price of tickets, they didn’t agree. We told them we’ve 50-50 partnership, let’s give 50-50 subsidy on raised prices, they didn’t agree. Delhi government will bear the fare of what we’re going to do. We needn’t take approval for this”

The proposal to make Delhi Metro and DTC ride free were made on Sunday to encourage the women to use public transport.

Delhi Transport Minister Mr. Kailash Gahlot has already taken meetings to discuss various aspects of fare-waiver to women in all public transport buses – run by DTC and DIMTS – and Delhi metro said Delhi Officials.

Difficult to implement in Metro

“Allowing free travel in Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses run by the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal System(DIMTS) may not be difficult, it will be “challenging” to do so in Metro trains”, a transport official said

The Delhi government and the Centre are 50:50 equity partners in the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.

Not the first of its kind

The ‘free’ public transport isn’t new and the movement is gaining a lot of supporters worldwide. Countries like Luxembourg are planning to set aside the fee in an attempt to make a green push.  Cities like Dunkirk in France and Tallinn in Estonia are already providing free commuting.

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