State Public Transport Initiatives Boosting Women’s Mobility

By Manya Narula

Women’s mobility is the freedom of women to move across different spaces. Although mobility involves a myriad of dimensions, physical mobility often plays a larger role in other spheres of women’s mobility, such as but not limited to economic mobility and social mobility. Women have often been given the sole onus to maintain the household, along with any other job/task for which they are responsible. This necessitates the need for transportation mediums that are receptive to women’s needs.

“Women’s travel patterns are notably different from men’s, and these differences can be characterised by deep and persistent inequalities. –

Within any given urban setting, women have inferior access to both private and public means of transport while at the same time assuming a higher share of their household’s travel burden. According to the 2022 World Bank Gender Toolkit, women make up the majority of public transport users, whereas more men take personal motorised vehicles. Nonetheless, approximately 45% of females walk to work due to financial constraints as a consequence of familial pressure or income inequalities.

In low-income families, women’s needs and opportunities are often forgone as the limited resources are all concentrated towards males. Due to age-old stereotypes, women generally don’t have any control over their finances and are vulnerable to financial abuse. Moreover, in most households, a girl’s education is placed on the back burner, which may result in lower qualifications, and hence a lower salary, than her male counterpart. Gender biases may also result in women having lower pay, which will limit her ability to regularly pay for transportation.

As women often have to manage domestic care duties, travelling is rarely unimodal; women often have dependents with them and have to manage a variety of tasks in one trip, thus involving frequent changing of stops, which results in higher fares that strain an already-tight budget.

Another big consideration for women’s mobility is safety. A report by Asia Foundation highlights the direct correlation between women’s safety and mobility; women are more likely to avoid areas where their safety is at risk. An article in The American International Journal of Social Science in 2016 notes the difference in the perception of safety between men and women. Women are more vulnerable to harassment and criminal victimisation in public settings, which cultivates an air of fear and restriction. Women are also noted to be more likely to modify their behaviours and activities accordingly to avoid high-risk situations. The lack of appropriate measures taken to mollify such concerns encumbers their social and economic movement. Social exclusion and economic dependence as a consequence of lack of safety in public transport systems highlights the need for sustainable policies that tackle accessibility.

Safety concerns are heightened by various facts. The first and last-mile distance between homes to stations or transit stops is often characterised by poor infrastructure, broken roads, and poor lighting. When women also get off work at odd hours, roads may be deserted abd any shops or stores would be closed. Improper footpaths and desolate paths pose great danger to the security of women.
The risk of harassment can also be extended to the waiting stations and transit stops, where poor lighting and deserted stations (especially during off-peak seasons) is largely prevalent.

Public transports lack any security instalments, such as Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTVs), which may deter harassment cases. Overcrowding and the lack of women-only compartments further exacerbate this issue. Women in overcrowded cabins are often prone to being subjected to non-consensual touching/ groping as they may be forced to close-proximity with potential harassors. Women also often have dependents with them, so women-only compartments will also provide a safe place to nursing mothers.

Women from higher income households that can afford private transportation, such as taxis, often opt for these costlier options to reduce the risk of harassment; hence the ‘pink tax’ of mobility.

These challenges impede women from travelling, hence limiting mobility which re-establishes a belief that stems from a patriarchal system where a woman’s responsibilities are limited to the household. It also limits women’s financial freedom, which creates a vicious cycle at the expense of women’s safety and livelihood.

In order to break this mould, it is imperative for women to be physically mobile. Physical mobility reduces the dependency of women on her spouse/ family and encourages the pursuit of better employment and academic opportunities. The lack of accommodation in the public transportation system regurgitates the same belief that women aren’t of equal standing.

Despite the majority of public transport users being women, public transport has taken a male-centred lens, failing to be cognizant of the various challenges that women face. There is a need for corrective action to be taken by the government to create more women-inclusive and women-empowering spaces.

Public transport is a State Subject, and maintenance of law & order in the State is ensured by the law enforcement agencies of the respective State. Various State Governments in India have put in place schemes to address some of the challenges to women’s mobility. Some key schemes are listed below.

OVERVIEW OF STATE SCHEMES

The Delhi government has introduced several schemes to support women’s safety and access in public transport:

Free Bus Ride Scheme (Pink Ticket): Launched in 2019, this scheme allows women to travel free on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses using pink tickets worth Rs. 10. It aims to reduce economic barriers for women, empowering them to participate in the workforce. By 2023, over 100 crore pink tickets had been used. However, women sometimes face hostility from male passengers and staff when availing of this benefit.
CCTV Surveillance and Panic Buttons: CCTV cameras were installed on all buses in 2018 to improve safety. However, issues like poor resolution, delayed maintenance, and inadequate storage have hampered their effectiveness. Additionally, panic buttons were added to 3,697 buses in 2022, but flaws in linking them to police response systems resulted in several unresolved alerts.
Women-Only Sections: Delhi implemented women-only sections in public transport, following a survey that showed 70% of women preferred segregated spaces for enhanced safety.
Bus Marshals Scheme: Initiated in 2015 and expanded in 2019, the scheme deploys Civil Defense Volunteers as bus marshals on DTC buses to deter harassment. Marshals offer immediate protection, addressing the limitations of CCTV surveillance, which only provides evidence after an incident.

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Karnataka

The Karnataka government has introduced various schemes to enhance women’s safety and accessibility in public transportation:

Shakti Scheme (Free Bus Travel for Women): Launched in June 2023, this scheme offers free bus rides for all domiciled women of Karnataka in state-owned non-AC buses, including those operated by KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC. Women can apply for a ‘Shakti smart card’ via the Seva Sindhu portal or use valid IDs, such as Aadhaar cards, in the interim to avail free rides. As of December 2023, over 100 crore rides had been made under this scheme, with an estimated ticket value exceeding ₹2,671 crore. The scheme has reportedly boosted women’s workforce participation and pilgrimage travel across the state.
Suraksha App: Launched in 2017, the Suraksha app allows women to send distress signals, which are connected to the Karnataka Police Emergency Response System, ensuring immediate deployment of police officers. The app has seen over 2 lakh installations in its initial years, with continued growth.
Increased Surveillance: CCTV cameras have been installed in buses and at bus stops to monitor and address safety concerns, enhancing security for women commuters.

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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu has implemented several schemes to support women’s access to public transport, aiming to enhance their mobility, safety, and workforce participation:

Vidiyal Payanam (Zero-Ticket Bus Travel): Launched in 2021, this scheme provides free bus travel for women, particularly benefiting low-income and marginalized communities, including SC (Scheduled Caste) and Backward Classes (BC). Reportedly, the initiative has boosted women’s participation in the labor force, with 468 crore trips taken by May 2023 and a daily increase to 55 lakh women travelers. According to the State Planning Commission) the scheme has increased disposable income for women, particularly those in the unorganized sector and economically weaker sections. Women’s savings have risen from 8%-12% to 11% on average, and up to 14% for the most disadvantaged. This financial relief promotes their employment engagement, education, and social mobility.
Surveillance and Safety Measures: To improve safety, Tamil Nadu has equipped 2,330 Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) buses and 66 bus terminals with panic buttons and CCTV cameras under the Nirbhaya Safe City Project. AI-enabled technology allows real-time monitoring, triggered by panic buttons, which alert a control center and coordinate with the police. These measures enhance women’s safety by facilitating rapid responses and aiding criminal identification.

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Telangana has implemented key schemes to improve women’s safety and access to public transport:

She Teams: Introduced by the Telangana Police, “She Teams” are dedicated units of female officers who patrol public spaces, including transport hubs, to ensure a safer environment for women. They address harassment and create a secure atmosphere for women using public transport.
Maha Lakshmi Scheme (Free Bus Travel for Women): Launched on December 9, 2023, this scheme offers free bus travel to all women domiciled in Telangana on TSRTC (Telangana State Road Transport Corporation) buses, including city buses, Palle Velugu, and express buses. Women can avail themselves of this service by showing valid ID and receiving a zero-ticket. The state reimburses TSRTC for the costs incurred. Within the first 11 days, over 3 crore women used the service, making up 62% of TSRTC’s passengers. A survey by Helping Hand Foundation (HHF) showed a 29% increase in women using bus services, with 12% utilizing it to access government health facilities. The scheme has had a significant impact on women’s savings, reducing monthly transport costs by 12% for many. However, further efforts are needed to extend TSRTC services to unconnected villages for broader reach and impact.

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Kerela

Kerala has introduced several policies to support women’s safety and ease in public transport, which aim to improve financial relief, safety, and mobility for women in public transport across Kerala.

Samudra Bus Service: Launched in August 2021, this service provides free bus rides for women fish vendors traveling from coastal areas to cities, alleviating their daily transport costs of Rs 400-500. The buses are equipped with special features, including rolling platforms for fish baskets and saline water tanks. Three buses operate from 5 am to 10 pm, ensuring fresh fish can reach markets.
Night Travel Safety: To enhance safety, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has implemented a policy allowing women traveling alone between 10 pm and 6 am to request bus drop-offs at their convenience. While a similar rule in 2022 was misused in premium bus services and withdrawn, this new policy ensures women’s safety during night travel.
Pink Beat Patrol: Introduced by the Kerala Police, this initiative deploys specially trained women personnel to patrol KSRTC and private buses, bus stops, schools, and public places. Their role is to ensure seats reserved for women and physically challenged individuals are not misused and to prevent incidents of harassment and molestation.

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Punjab

Punjab has implemented Free Bus Travel for Women: Launched in April 2021, this scheme allows women domiciled in Punjab to travel for free on government-owned buses, including Punjab Roadways Transport Corporation (PRTC), Punjab Roadways Buses (PUNBUS), and city bus services. Women can avail this service by showing valid proof of residence, such as Aadhar or voter ID. The scheme also covers women who are family members of Punjab government employees residing in Chandigarh or working there.

Reportedly, the scheme has seen significant uptake, with the number of women passengers increasing from 61.18 lakh in April 2021 to 1.12 crore by November 2022. By 2023-24, 11 crore women had utilized the service, accounting for 32.46 crore journeys, with a cost of Rs 1,548 crore to the state. The initiative has empowered women by providing safe, affordable, and reliable travel, thereby improving access to education, employment, healthcare, and reducing drop-out rates among girls.

However, the scheme has faced several issues. The government owes PRTC Rs 250 crore in unpaid dues, which has led to delays in salary and pension payments. Local private transporters have also seen a decline in business, as women prefer the free government bus service. Poor planning has resulted in overcrowded buses, long wait times, and bus operators avoiding stops with large numbers of women.

To address these challenges, the Punjab government is exploring solutions such as limiting free travel to specific days, issuing smart cards, or excluding women in government jobs from the scheme. However, no concrete steps have been taken yet.

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CONCLUSION

While the Indian Constitution enshrines the principle of gender equality in its preamble, fundamental rights, duties, and directive principles, and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 5 aims to empower women and achieve gender equality by 2030, true progress is driven by action at the grassroots level, where these ideals translate into measurable outcomes.

Key indicators of women’s empowerment—such as freedom of movement, control over resources, financial independence, and decision-making capacity—are closely tied to women’s mobility. Enhanced mobility increases access to education, healthcare, and employment, which in turn fosters economic independence and enables women to move beyond traditional roles of childbearing, childcare, and domestic work. Free public transport initiatives by various states have significantly boosted women’s mobility, and as highlighted by the State Planning Commission, this increased mobility leads to greater public participation by women and strengthens their role in decision-making processes.

As society undergoes a transformation in how women perceive and challenge the historically restrictive boundaries imposed on them, there is a growing focus on women’s safety and the dismantling of the “cement ceiling” that has long limited their potential.