Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Apr 8: The newly launched free bus service for women has witnessed a massive surge in ridership in Jammu and Kashmir with over 3.5 lakh women availing the facility within just a week of its launch on April 01.
The initiative, which aims to enhance women’s mobility and ease of access to public transport, has received widespread appreciation. The female passengers from both urban and rural areas are using the service to travel to schools, colleges, offices and marketplaces.
As per the details, bus stops now witness large turnouts, especially during peak hours—8 to 10 AM, midday, and 4 to 6 PM.
According to Smart City data, the daily ridership on electric buses has doubled since the scheme began. “Where earlier we saw around 20,000 to 21,000 people using the service, the number has now risen to more than 40,000,” said an official.
Presently, more than 95 plus air-conditioned electric buses operate on more than 30 plus routes, carrying nearly 50,000 women passengers every day.
Passengers have lauded the move, especially during the hot summer days. “More than half of my salary was spent on daily travel. Now, I save that money and can spend it on essentials,” said a working woman from the outskirts of the city.
Officials also acknowledged the initiative and added they had a substantial social impact, especially in empowering women and reducing their dependency on private or unsafe transport options. “To ensure the scheme remains viable in the long term, authorities are considering various funding mechanisms and government subsidies.” (KNO)
