New Delhi, June 2: A few months before Assembly elections, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced that Delhi Metro services and DTC buses will be free for travel for women. Arvind Kejriwal said the Delhi government will make metro and bus travel free of cost for women "to encourage them to use public transport". The Delhi government is in talks with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and Delhi Transport Corporation (TSC) regarding the proposal.

"The government is considering to waive fare for women in DTC buses and Delhi Metro to encourage them to use public transport in view of their safety. An announcement in this regard will be made on June 3," Kejriwal said. According to a report, Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot has met officials of DMRC and asked them to submit a proposal on how they can ensure free travel to woman commuters. Delhi Metro Asks Game Of Thrones Fans To Not Spoil The Finale For Others, Says ‘Use Earphones When You Watch The Episode’.

About 30 lakh passengers travel by Delhi Metro every day. Of them, slightly higher than 25 per cent are female. The percentage of women travellers on buses is not more than 20 per cent. The Delhi government and the Centre are 50:50 equity partners in the DMRC. Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said AAP government could reduce Metro fares by 25-30 per cent if it is given full control.

The proposal could start another tussle between the AAP government and the Modi government as the Delhi government and the centre's Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry have not been on the same page over several issues related to metro, including fare hike and Phase-IV of the Metro network. However, in DTC buses, the Delhi government can easily implement a free travel scheme for women.

A DMRC official said "allowing free travel would lead to a spurt in ridership". The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is likely to make an announcement in this regard on June 3.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 02, 2019 06:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).