Fare-free bus travel scheme for women: Lessons from Delhi

In 2019, Delhi introduced India’s first fare-free public transport (FFPT) scheme, enabling women to travel for free in government buses. The scheme aimed to empower women by providing safer public transport. Delhi’s FFPT scheme has drawn a mixed response from citizens, experts, and policymakers.

This working paper presents an in-depth examination of the FFPT scheme’s effects on female bus users in Delhi. It aims to answer the question of how Delhi’s FFPT scheme impacts transport equity, access to opportunities, and travel safety among female bus users.

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