Punjab: The transport department has sought central funds from the state government to prepare smart cards for women availing free travel facility in state transport undertaking buses. Around Rs 10 crore was needed to prepare the smart cards. “If the state government agrees, half the funds can be obtained from the Centre. The smart cards will enable the department to get real-time data of women availing the free bus travel facility,” a senior government official said. Under the current system, women availing the free travel facility have to show their Aadhaar cards while boarding buses. Once issued, the smart cards will replace Aadhaar cards as identity proof to avail the facility.
The bus conductor will have to enter the unique identity of the beneficiary in the electronic ticketing machine. The scheme is not applicable on government-owned AC buses, Volvo buses and HVAC buses. The populist scheme is hurting the state transport undertaking as dues worth crores of rupees owed by the state government to service providers are yet to be refunded. Till last month, the government owed over Rs 700 crore for providing free bus travel to women. Now more women are travelling in government buses, especially those from the lower income group. The increase in the number of women passengers availing the free bus facility has led to a rise in dues and expenditure. This has also resulted in a sharp fall in revenue from bus passes.
