The Delhi government has issued a directive mandating the suspension of bus drivers or conductors who deliberately skip stops where women are waiting, following complaints from female passengers. Chief Minister Atishi emphasised that ensuring the safety and convenience of women travelers is a top priority.
The free bus travel scheme for women, launched on October 29, 2019, applies to both Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses operated by Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System Limited (DIMTS). Urging women to report incidents, Atishi stated, “If you see a bus not stopping, take a photo of the license plate and share it on social media. Immediate action will be taken, and the responsible driver or conductor will face suspension if found guilty.”
The government clarified that there is no financial loss for drivers or operators due to women’s free travel since the cost of pink tickets is fully reimbursed. “Whether it is a DTC or cluster bus, there is no excuse for skipping stops where women are waiting,” Atishi asserted.
Statistics show a steady rise in pink ticket usage, indicating increased reliance on free travel by women. Pink tickets accounted for 25% of total bus ticket sales in 2020-21, rising to 28% in 2021-22, 33% in 2022-23, and 46% in the ongoing 2023-24 fiscal year.
DTC buses issued a higher percentage of pink tickets last year (48.2% of total daily sales) compared to cluster buses (44.4%). The combined DTC and cluster fleet consists of 7,485 buses, including CNG and electric vehicles.
Delhi BJP vice-president Yogita Singh criticized the government for its delayed response, stating it took five years to address complaints about drivers skipping stops. She also highlighted an acute shortage of DTC buses and alleged negligence toward long-standing grievances.