Free Bus Travel for Women Starts June 1, Know ID Rules and Many More

Free Bus Service: Good news for womens. Especially if you are living in Kolkata then there is a golden chance for you. The BJP government in West Bengal has given a major gift to women. The West Bengal government has announced free bus travel for all women on state-run buses starting June 1, 2026. Women will be issued smart cards with QR codes based on documents such as Aadhaar or EPIC. Until the cards are issued, women can travel using any government-issued photo ID. The scheme aims to empower women and increase their access to transportation.

All routes will be included

Starting June 1st, free travel will be implemented for all women in West Bengal on all state-run buses. This will cover all routes, including both short-haul and long-haul buses. This applies to all categories of state-operated buses used for public service.

Women will just have to do this work?

Every female beneficiary will be issued a QR-code smart card with photo and name.

Women have to apply for the card at the BDO/SDO office under their jurisdiction.

To apply, one needs to submit a recent photograph along with supporting documents like Aadhaar, Voter ID, Passport, PAN, Driving License, School/College ID, etc.

Till the smart card is issued, women can travel free by showing any valid photo ID to the conductor on duty and purchasing a ‘zero value ticket’.

What the Transport Department said?

The Transport Department has clarified that the free bus travel scheme for women will be implemented from June 1, 2026, without waiting for the completion of the digital smart card making process. Until women are issued smart cards with QR codes, they will be able to travel free in state-run buses on the basis of any valid government photo ID card. Bus conductors will issue ‘zero value tickets’ or ‘thermal paper tickets’ to women passengers after checking the identity card, so that a record of the journey is also maintained.