The West Bengal government has announced a comprehensive free bus travel scheme for women passengers, effective June 1, 2026. According to an official notification issued by the state Transport Department on May 21, 2026, women commuters will be eligible for free travel in both short-route and long-route state-run buses operating across West Bengal. The scheme is designed to enhance women's empowerment and improve access to public transport facilities. As confirmed by the Transport Department notification, the initiative aims to strengthen women's empowerment and widen access to public transport services across the state.
The Transport department has outlined specific procedures for implementing the free travel scheme through a comprehensive smart card system. As reported in the notification, a smart card with QR code, photograph and beneficiary details will be issued to all eligible women upon application through the BDO or SDO offices concerned. The smart card will be issued to women of the state on the basis of supporting documents including Aadhaar card, elector's photo identity card (EPIC), VB-G RAMG job card, Ayushman Bharat health card, driving license, Pan card, passport, pension document with photograph, identity card of central/state government/psus, identity cards issued by schools/colleges/universities. According to the notification, bus conductors will verify identity documents and issue paperless acknowledgements to eligible travellers during the transition period.
Until the smart cards are issued, women passengers will be allowed to avail the free travel facility on production of valid photo identity documents. According to the notification, these documents include Aadhaar card, voter identity card, driving licence, PAN card, passport and government-issued service identity cards. Conductors will issue 'zero value tickets' to women passengers after verification of identity documents during this transition period. This temporary arrangement ensures continuity of the free travel benefit while the permanent smart card system is being established, providing a seamless transition for commuters.
The free travel scheme will come into effect from June 1, 2026, as confirmed in the official notification. This implementation timeline provides adequate preparation time for both the government and commuters to ensure smooth transition to the new system. The scheme covers all state government-run buses operating in West Bengal, ensuring comprehensive coverage across the state's public transport network. The Transport Department notification emphasizes that the scheme will be implemented from the specified date, providing clear guidance for both passengers and transport operators.
