Several Indian states, including Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Delhi, Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir, are currently offering free bus travel to women.
The scheme, introduced as a welfare measure, is particularly popular among rural women who travel long distances for work.
Many find new opportunities as household helpers, cooks, shop assistants and office staff, since the cost of commuting no longer eats into their income.
With next general elections, this scheme may soon expand nationwide. Congress, under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, is expected to include free bus travel for women in its national election manifesto, projecting it as a step towards women’s empowerment and mobility.
Other parties too may adopt similar promises, making free bus travel a potential game changer in upcoming polls.
However, the policy has a flip side. Governments are under pressure as the financial burden of funding free travel mounts.
Public money is being spent heavily, while only a section of women, those living in areas with good bus connectivity, truly benefit. Critics argue that the scheme is more a political strategy than a sustainable welfare measure.
Supporters counter that the social benefits outweigh the costs, as thousands of women can now step out to work, gain independence, and support their families. For them, the scheme is not just about free rides, but about dignity and opportunity.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: free bus rides have opened doors for countless women to work and earn with greater ease, though questions about long-term financial viability remain.
