Shivani Jaiswal ,Kolkata-The West Bengal government has announced a major welfare initiative under which women will be able to travel free of cost on all state-run buses starting June 1, 2026.

According to official transport department information, the scheme aims to improve women’s mobility and make public transport more affordable and accessible across the state. Under this initiative, women passengers will not need to pay any fare while using government-operated buses.

To ensure smooth implementation, the government plans to issue smart travel cards with QR codes and user details. Until the cards are distributed, women will be allowed to travel by showing valid identity documents such as Aadhaar card, voter ID, or other government-issued IDs. Bus conductors will issue zero-value tickets after verification.

The scheme is expected to benefit students, working women, and daily commuters, especially in both urban and rural areas, by reducing daily travel expenses and improving access to education, employment, and healthcare.

Officials stated that the initiative is part of broader women-centric welfare programs being introduced by the state government to strengthen social and economic empowerment.