Beyond the Ride: How Tamil Nadu’s fare free bus scheme is transforming the lives of women
3000 women say, it has changed their lives for the better
The way women travel is very different from the way men do. All over the world, women typically make multiple short trips in a day — dropping the children off at school, running errands, working, buying groceries and necessities, and so on, while men travel to and from their workplace. Yet, the fare system in our public bus services is designed to cater to long travel, while multiple short trips are more expensive per kilometre.
Why is this so? And what should be done to ensure that the needs of women are included in the service design of our public infrastructure?
Understanding how women move
While public buses are provided free for women in six Indian states — Delhi, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, and Karnataka — there hasn’t been a thorough study to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of these schemes.
“We conducted this study because we wanted to put facts in the public narrative about the fare free scheme for women,” says Sumana Narayanan, a senior researcher at Citizen consumer and civic Action Group (CAG), a non-profit and professional research organisation that strives to protect citizens’ rights in consumer, civic and environmental issues.
Interestingly, the free public bus scheme for women in Tamil Nadu inadvertently prompted an extensive study, providing insights into the daily travel needs and routines of the women.
Narayanan and her team at CAG surveyed 3000 women across 6 cities in Tamil Nadu — Chennai, Coimbatore, Salem, Tiruvarur, Tirunelveli, and Tiruvannamalai — to understand the impact of the scheme.
The findings of the survey have been discussed in-depth in a well-drafted report, Fair Fares: Towards Gender Inclusive Public Transport, authored by Narayanan. The report was launched last week, on February 20, 2024.
What has been the impact of free bus travel for women?
The study concluded that providing free buses for women has improved several aspects of their lives. Let’s delve deep into these aspects:
Considerable savings
A direct impact of the scheme has been the money that women have been able to save. Sixty-six percent saved more than Rs 400 per month; twenty percent saved between Rs 601 and 800 — a substantial amount for those earning less than Rs 20,000 per month. Most of the women spent their savings on household necessities, food for the family, and the education of their children.
Employment opportunities
Free buses allowed women to explore employment opportunities farther than their homes. Some women, who could not consider taking up jobs even due to the cost of travel, could seek employment and supplement their family’s income.
Time saved
Throughout the world, women’s time and labour are undervalued. Their transportation needs are often not budgeted for in the family budget. Hence, they often resort to walking to complete their chores. The fare free scheme significantly reduced the time taken by women for domestic errands, allowing them time for leisure and work.
Some leisure, at last
Almost one-fourth of the women said that free buses allowed them to indulge in leisure activities. The women could now visit temples, friends, relatives, parks, and beaches — activities that they earlier abstained from because of the cost involved. The ability of women to loiter in public spaces holds immense significance, far beyond mere recreation.
Why Loiter? Women and Risk on Mumbai Streets, by authors Sameera Khan, Shilpa Phadke, and Shilpa Ranade, is a milestone book that makes a case for the simple yet radical act of women reclaiming public spaces by leisurely wandering without purpose. Encouraging women to loiter not only fosters a sense of freedom and autonomy but also challenges patriarchal structures, creating a more inclusive and egalitarian society.
Inclusive society
Perhaps the biggest and most lasting impact of the scheme has been in reducing the barriers to social inclusion for women. The report also notes that women stepping out of the house in larger numbers increases their visibility in public spaces, making it safer for women and encouraging more women to step out.
The fare free public transport scheme for women was launched in Tamil Nadu in March 2021, following Delhi and Punjab. In 2023, the government of Karnataka also announced the Shakti scheme for women travelling in public buses. In each state, these schemes have attracted their share of scorn and criticism.
Undue burden on men?
Women, who are the beneficiaries of the scheme, often face hostility from men. According to the CAG report, the public narrative around this scheme has been about women being subsidised by men who commute (pay tickets) and work outside the home. Women are seen as freeloaders who are further burdening the strained public transport agency.
In reality, the Tamil Nadu government reimburses the service provider on a monthly basis. The government pays a flat fee of Rs 16 for every zero-value ticket that is issued to women and other subsidised groups. The fare for ordinary buses starts at Rs 4.
“The fact is that all users of public transport are subsidised. The cost of setting up and running a bus or metro system is much more than what can be recovered from tickets. Plus many other groups have concessions — students, senior citizens, Tamil scholars, and more. So there’s no rationale in picking on women.” — Sumana Narayanan, senior researcher at Citizen consumer and civic Action Group (CAG).
Rude behaviour
The perception of women being freeloaders often translates into disrespectful and rude behaviour by conductors and drivers. In Karnataka, numerous women reported experiencing harsh and undignified comments. Additionally, there were instances where women were denied seating and buses did not halt for them. “Women get offended and angry with the treatment, but it hasn’t deterred them from taking the bus. This scheme brings great value to their lives,” says Narayanan.
Crowding on buses
A common lament from men that even women agree upon is the increased crowding in the buses. It exacerbates during peak hours. Crowding is actually the problem of infrequent and insufficient buses. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) recommends at least 60 buses per 100,000 (one lakh) population. No city in Tamil Nadu is close to this metric.
Also, currently, the free ride deal only applies to ordinary buses, which halt at all stops and have the lowest fare. Extending the scheme to other categories — express, deluxe, and AC Volvo — will help in crowding.
Narayanan’s report recommends the Tamil Nadu government increase fleet strength and also extend the scheme to all buses. She also places emphasis on collecting gender-segregated data to understand the travel requirements of women and improve service delivery accordingly. Lastly, she also suggests highlighting the benefits of this scheme to the public and addressing the misconceptions attached to providing fare free rides to women.
Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Delhi have taken a step further in creating a more inclusive society by extending the fare free scheme to transgender individuals. Hopefully, access to mobility options will prove to be a big step towards a better life. In the journey towards inclusivity, every step counts.
Access to mobility is not merely about transportation. It is the foundation of a society where everyone can thrive, regardless of their background or identity. And fare free schemes have proven to be a fundamental step towards equal rights and opportunities for marginalised communities.
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