West Bengal Launches Free Bus Travel for Women; Advocacy Groups Hail Move as Milestone for Mobility and Empowerment
Kolkata, June 1, 2026: Women’s rights organisations Stree Shakti – “The Parallel Force” and Women Lead on Monday welcomed the launch of free public bus travel for women across West Bengal, describing the initiative as a significant step toward enhancing women’s mobility, economic independence and social inclusion.
At a press conference held at the Press Club, Kolkata, representatives of the organisations said the policy, which came into effect on June 1, 2026, marks the culmination of more than a decade of advocacy aimed at making public transportation more affordable and accessible for women.
According to the organisers, West Bengal has become the eighth state in India to introduce free bus travel benefits for women. The initiative is expected to benefit women across both urban and rural areas by reducing transportation expenses and improving access to education, employment, healthcare and other essential services.
The event brought together activists, community leaders and women participants who welcomed the implementation of the scheme and highlighted the role of affordable transport in advancing women’s empowerment.
Speaking at the event, Rekha Mody, Founder of Stree Shakti – “The Parallel Force,” described the initiative as a transformative measure for women, particularly those from economically weaker backgrounds.
“A free bus travel facility can significantly reduce the financial burden on women and enable greater mobility and independence. We welcome the introduction of this initiative in West Bengal and hope similar measures will be considered by other states in the future,” she said.
Following the press conference, participants took part in a symbolic bus-boarding programme from the Press Club premises to mark the commencement of the scheme and to demonstrate support for greater accessibility in public transportation.
Speakers at the event emphasized that safe, affordable and accessible transport remains a critical factor in increasing women’s participation in economic and social activities. They noted that sustained advocacy efforts by civil society groups had helped bring the issue of women’s mobility into mainstream policy discussions.
The organisations also highlighted the economic impact of transportation costs on women, particularly those from lower-income households. According to estimates cited during the event, free public transport could result in substantial annual savings for women, allowing additional resources to be directed toward education, healthcare, nutrition and household welfare.
With the rollout of the scheme, West Bengal joins a growing number of Indian states that have introduced measures aimed at improving women’s access to public transportation and strengthening their participation in education, employment and public life.
The organisers described the initiative as an important step toward creating a more inclusive and accessible public transport system while advancing broader goals of gender equality and economic empowerment.
Source: Stree Shakti – “The Parallel Force” & Women Lead Press Conference, Kolkata.
