The variety of girls vacationers in government-run buses in Punjab has seen a gentle rise since April 2021, when the earlier dispensation introduced in a scheme to make bus journey free for girls commuting inside the state.

As per the official knowledge, in April 2021 as many as 61.18 lakh had used buses for each day commute. The quantity elevated nearly two fold (1.12 crore) by November 2022. Before this, the Punjab authorities had not been preserving a document of ladies vacationers in buses.

Shivani, 22, who hails from Rupnagar mentioned, “The scheme is a boon for women from financially disadvantaged sections.”

Davinder Singh, 18, a teen from Samana, mentioned, “It has especially helped young girls from villages, who have to travel long distances to colleges in Patiala.”

A conductor, on the situation of anonymity, revealed the variety of passengers in authorities buses throughout weekends has seen a spike for the reason that scheme was launched.

“Earlier, buses used to run empty on Sundays. But now, these are overloaded on weekends too,” he said.

Lakhvir Singh, a station-in-charge of the Khatra Bus service, meanwhile revealed that the free bus travel has led to losses for private bus services.

“The per day revenue of our buses has almost halved since the scheme was launched,” he mentioned.

Govt but to reimburse bus service suppliers

According to official sources, the federal government is but to pay over 187 crore to the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) for offering free journey facility to girls. As per official knowledge, the rise within the variety of girls vacationers who avail free bus service has resulted in mounting dues and expenditure. Sources mentioned the earnings from bus passes has additionally decreased drastically.

A finances of 170 crore was allotted for the scheme, when it was prolonged to incorporate authorities faculty college students, by the Captain Amarinder-led Congress authorities in 2021. However, now there is no such thing as a particular allocation of finances to proceed this scheme. The funds are launched by the division of social safety, girls and youngster growth on the claims raised by the division of transport and PRTC. According to official knowledge of Punbus and Punjab Roadways, from the division of transport, the declare of over 387.04 crore has already been raised at no cost journey of ladies from April 2021 to November 2022. Similarly, the PRTC has raised claims to the tune of over 476.30 crore from April 2021 to November 2022. The division of social safety, girls and youngster growth, in the meantime, refused to share knowledge pertaining to the funds launched for the reason that launch of this scheme on the pretext of “competence of department authorities.” The authorities mentioned that the “minister is the right authority to answer the questions” that had been requested to the director and different officers. Vipul Ujwal, managing director of the PRTC, mentioned, “We are working to refine the process of capturing Aadhaar details with the use of technology so the data of the number of women who travel can be recorded without any error.” About the dues, he mentioned, “The dues will ultimately be paid by the department.” He added, “Women are touring extra and the convenience of journey is meant to present them a way of empowerment. It will enable them to discover financial and different alternatives.