Chandigarh: Under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s visionary leadership, the Punjab government has taken a historic step toward women’s empowerment and social inclusion by launching a free bus service for all women in the state. This ambitious public welfare scheme allows every woman—whether a student, working professional, homemaker, or senior citizen—to travel free on Punjab Roadways and Pepsu Roadways buses.
The initiative benefits millions daily, increasing the number of female passengers on public transport and promoting economic independence and mobility for women. A special component of this program now provides dedicated free bus service for girls in about 200 government schools across Punjab. This service ensures their safety and reduces the financial burden on families.
Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains shared that 10,448 students benefit from this school transport, including 7,698 girls and 2,740 boys. The service operates in 118 Schools of Eminence and other government schools, emphasizing that the free bus service for schoolgirls is one part of a larger scheme benefiting all women in Punjab.
This comprehensive plan covers all government buses in the state, aiming to remove economic barriers to travel for women seeking education, employment, healthcare, or social activities. It especially helps lower and middle-income women by saving daily transport costs, allowing these savings to be spent on other family needs.
Many girls now travel safely to school over distances ranging from 10 to over 20 kilometers, which was previously risky and costly, leading to many dropouts. The government covers 80% of transport costs, with parents paying a minimal amount. Bus services are managed locally, ensuring transparency and community involvement.
Chief Minister Mann emphasized equal opportunities for all women and stated this service not only relieves financial stress but also empowers women socially. Thousands of working women, nurses, teachers, and college students also benefit from the scheme. For example, a working woman from Ludhiana saves ₹3,000-4,000 monthly on commuting, which she spends on her children’s education.
The school bus service is part of the broader Schools of Eminence program, which has enhanced government school facilities and raised enrollments significantly. Experts and activists praise the scheme as a social and economic revolution supporting women’s independence and equality.
Punjab’s free bus service is bringing real change to millions, making it a model of women’s empowerment, economic inclusion, and educational justice.
