Free Bus Travel Scheme for Women is a newly approved welfare initiative of the West Bengal Government under which women will be able to travel free of cost on state-run government buses across the State from 1 June 2026. The scheme aims to reduce daily transportation expenses for women commuters and improve accessibility to education, employment, healthcare, and other essential services through free public transport support.
West Bengal Free Bus Travel Scheme for Women Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Free Bus Travel Scheme for Women |
| Cabinet Approval Date | 18 May 2026 |
| Expected Launch Date | 1 June 2026 |
| Main Objective | Provide Free Bus Travel Facility to Women |
| Beneficiaries | Women Passengers Across West Bengal |
| Travel Benefit | Completely Free Travel on State-Run Government Buses |
| Bus Coverage | Intra-City and Inter-City Government Bus Routes |
| Expected Verification | Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or Valid Identity Proof |
| Transport Corporations Covered | CSTC, NBSTC, SBSTC, and WBTC |
| Application Process | No Separate Registration Expected |
| Additional Government Focus | Expansion of Public Transport Including Electric Buses |
| Notification Number | No. 1723-WT/TPT/18011/30/2026 dated 21 May 2026 |
| Issued By | Transport Department, Government of West Bengal |
| Finance Concurrence | UO No. Group R/2026-2027/0018 dated 16 May 2026 |
| Cabinet Approval | No. T-D-2 dated 18 May 2026 |
| Signed By | Surendra Gupta, IAS, Principal Secretary, Government of West Bengal |
| Smart Card | Digital Smart Card with QR code, photo, and name issued to each beneficiary |
| Smart Card Application | Submit the application to the BDO or SDO having jurisdiction |
| Till Smart Card is issued | Zero Value Ticket issued by the conductor after valid Photo ID verification |
| Application Process | Apply to the nearest BDO or SDO office for a Smart Card |
Introduction of West Bengal Free Bus Travel Scheme for Women: A Brief Insight
Free Bus Travel Scheme for Women is a newly approved welfare initiative of the West Bengal Government under which women will be able to travel free of cost on state-run government buses across the State. The scheme received Cabinet approval on 18 May 2026, and the Government has announced 1 June 2026 as the expected rollout date.
Through this initiative, the West Bengal Government aims to reduce daily transportation expenses for women and improve accessibility to education, employment, healthcare, markets, and other essential services. The scheme is expected to benefit a large number of women, including students, working professionals, small traders, daily commuters, homemakers, and rural passengers who regularly depend on public transport services.
Under the announced structure, women passengers may be allowed to travel completely free on buses operated by major state transport corporations, including CSTC, NBSTC, SBSTC, and WBTC. The benefit is expected to cover both intra-city and inter-city government bus routes across West Bengal.
The Free Bus Travel Scheme for Women was approved alongside the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme, another major welfare initiative announced by the West Bengal Government. While the Free Bus Travel Scheme focuses on reducing transportation expenses for women, the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme aims to provide monthly financial assistance to eligible families.
The West Bengal Government has also indicated plans to strengthen the public transport network by adding more buses, including electric buses, in the coming period. The broader objective behind the scheme is not only financial relief for women commuters, but also improvement in mobility, social participation, workplace accessibility, and safer public transport usage for women across urban and rural areas.
At present, women may not need any separate online registration process to avail benefits under the scheme. Women passengers may simply need to travel through eligible state-run buses and show valid identity proof wherever required during the boarding or verification process.
Similar free bus travel initiatives are already operating in several Indian states, including Delhi, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. With this move, West Bengal is also expected to join the growing list of states introducing women-focused public transport welfare schemes.
Women and families searching for more welfare, transport, financial assistance, and public benefit programmes can also explore other initiatives available under the West Bengal Government Welfare Schemes List section, according to their eligibility and location.
On 21 May 2026 – Official Notification Issued: Transport Department, Government of West Bengal issued official Notification No. 1723-WT/TPT/18011/30/2026 dated 21 May 2026 confirming free bus travel for all women in all state-run buses across West Bengal from 1 June 2026. The notification confirms issuance of a digital Smart Card with QR code, photo, and name of the beneficiary to each eligible woman on application submitted to the BDO or SDO. Until Smart Cards are issued, conductors will issue a Zero Value Ticket after verifying any valid Photo ID. Signed by Surendra Gupta, IAS, Principal Secretary, Government of West Bengal.
State Transport Corporations Covered Under Free Bus Travel Scheme for Women
Women passengers are expected to receive free travel benefits on buses operated by major state-run transport corporations across West Bengal.
- CSTC (Calcutta State Transport Corporation) for Kolkata city and the surrounding routes
- NBSTC (North Bengal State Transport Corporation) for North Bengal region routes
- SBSTC (South Bengal State Transport Corporation) for South Bengal routes
- WBTC (West Bengal Transport Corporation) for multiple state-operated bus services
The scheme is expected to cover both intra-city and inter-city government bus routes operating under these transport corporations.
Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries
Transport Department, Government of West Bengal, officially confirmed the following benefits under the Free Bus Travel Scheme for Women vide Notification No. 1723-WT/TPT/18011/30/2026 dated 21 May 2026.
- Completely free travel for all women of West Bengal in all state-run buses across the state from 1 June 2026
- Free travel available on both short-route and long-route state-run buses for public service in various categories of buses
- State transport corporations covered include CSTC, NBSTC, SBSTC, and WBTC
- Each eligible woman receives a digital Smart Card with a QR code, photo, and name for availing free travel
- Until a Smart Card is issued, the conductor issues a Zero Value Ticket after verifying a valid Photo ID
- No bus fare payment required for eligible women on covered state-run bus routes
- The scheme benefits all women, including students, working women, daily commuters, rural passengers, and homemakers
Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled
As per official Notification No. 1723-WT/TPT/18011/30/2026 dated 21 May 2026, the following eligibility conditions apply for free travel under the Free Bus Travel Scheme for Women.
- Applicant must be a woman residing in West Bengal
- No income limit applies under the scheme
- No age restriction is mentioned in the official notification
- Must possess any valid Photo ID from the list of accepted documents to avail free travel
- Must apply to the nearest BDO or SDO office for Smart Card issuance
Documents Required to be Attached
Women applying for a Smart Card under the Free Bus Travel Scheme must submit any one of the following valid Photo ID documents to the BDO or SDO having jurisdiction, along with a recent photograph.
- Aadhaar Card
- Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC/Voter ID)
- WB-G Ration Job Card (Grameen Rozgar Guarantee Card)
- Ayushman Bharat Health Card
- Driving License
- PAN Card
- Indian Passport
- Pension document with a photograph
- Service Identity Card with photograph issued by the Central or State Government, PSUs, or Public Limited Companies
- Official Identity Card issued by Schools, Colleges, or Universities
- Any other ID card issued by the Government of West Bengal
- Recent passport size photograph of the beneficiary
Important: Until a Smart Card is issued, women can travel free by showing any of the above Photo ID documents to the conductor. The conductor will issue a Zero Value Ticket after ID verification.
How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme
Free Bus Travel Scheme for Women provides immediate travel benefit from 1 June 2026, even before Smart Card issuance. Women can avail free travel in two ways.
Immediate Free Travel (Before Smart Card)
Step 1: Carry any valid Photo ID document, such as an Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Driving License, PAN Card, Passport, or any other Government-issued identity proof, while travelling on state-run buses.
Step 2: Board any eligible state-run bus operated by CSTC, NBSTC, SBSTC, or WBTC.
Step 3: Request a Zero Value Ticket from the on-duty conductor by showing the valid Photo ID. The conductor will verify the ID and issue a Zero Value Ticket confirming free travel.
Smart Card Application Process
Step 1: Visit the nearest BDO (Block Development Officer) office for rural areas or SDO (Sub-Divisional Officer) office for urban areas having jurisdiction over your area.
Step 2: Submit the Smart Card application along with any one valid Photo ID document from the approved list and a recent passport-size photograph of the applicant.
Step 3: The BDO or SDO office processes the application and arranges issuance of the digital Smart Card with QR code, photo, and name of the beneficiary.
Step 4: After receiving the Smart Card, use it to avail free travel on all state-run bus services across West Bengal.
Important: Women do not need to wait for the Smart Card to start availing free travel. From 1 June 2026, any woman with a valid Photo ID can travel free on state-run buses by requesting a Zero Value Ticket from the conductor.
Important Links Available
Contact Details in Case of Help Needed
Women facing issues related to free bus travel, Smart Card application, or scheme-related queries can contact the following official channels.
- Transport Department, Government of West Bengal
12, R. N. Mukherjee Road,
Kolkata 700001 - For Smart Card Application: Contact the nearest BDO office in rural areas or the SDO office in urban areas
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is the Free Bus Travel Scheme for Women in West Bengal?
Ans. Free Bus Travel Scheme for Women is a Cabinet-approved initiative of the West Bengal Government under which women will be able to travel free of cost on state-run government buses across the State.
Q. When was the scheme approved?
Ans. The scheme received Cabinet approval on 18 May 2026.
Q. When will the Free Bus Travel Scheme for Women start?
Ans. The West Bengal Government announced 1 June 2026 as the expected launch date of the scheme.
Q. Who announced the scheme?
Ans. The scheme was approved by the West Bengal Cabinet under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, and details were briefed by Minister Agnimitra Paul.
Q. Which women can avail benefits under the scheme?
Ans. The scheme is expected to cover women residing in West Bengal, including students, working women, daily commuters, and rural passengers.
Q. Will women have to pay any bus fare?
Ans. No. Eligible women passengers are expected to travel completely free on covered state-run government buses.
Q. Which buses are expected to be covered under the scheme?
Ans. State-run transport corporations, including CSTC, NBSTC, SBSTC, and WBTC, are expected to come under the scheme.
Q. Will private buses be covered under the scheme?
Ans. Currently, the announced scheme mainly refers to state-run government buses.
Q. Is any online registration required?
Ans. Based on currently available information, women may not need a separate online registration to avail free travel benefits.
Q. Which identity proof may be required while travelling?
Ans. Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or other valid Government-issued identity proof may be required for verification while boarding buses.
Q. Is there any income limit under the scheme?
Ans. No income limit has been announced under the scheme till now.
Q. Will the scheme cover both city and long-distance routes?
Ans. The announced structure indicates coverage of both intra-city and inter-city government bus services.
Q. Is the scheme connected with the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme?
Ans. Yes. The Free Bus Travel Scheme for Women and the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme were both approved during the same Cabinet meeting and are expected to start from 1 June 2026.
Q. Will electric buses also be added to the transport system?
Ans. The West Bengal Government has indicated plans to expand the public transport system with additional electric buses in future.
Q. What is a Zero Value Ticket under this scheme?
Ans. A Zero Value Ticket is a thermal paper ticket issued by the on-duty conductor to eligible women passengers after verifying their valid Photo ID. It confirms free travel on the state-run bus and serves as proof of travel until the Smart Card is issued.
Q. How can a woman get the Smart Card under this scheme?
Ans. Women must submit an application to the nearest BDO office in rural areas or SDO office in urban areas, along with any valid Photo ID from the approved list and a recent passport-size photograph. The BDO or SDO office will then arrange the issuance of the digital Smart Card with QR code.
Q. Can women travel free before receiving the Smart Card?
Ans. Yes. From 1 June 2026, women can travel free immediately by showing any valid Photo ID to the conductor, who will issue a Zero Value Ticket. They do not need to wait for the Smart Card.
Q. What is the official notification number for this scheme?
Ans. The official notification number is 1723-WT/TPT/18011/30/2026 dated 21 May 2026 issued by the Transport Department, Government of West Bengal and signed by Surendra Gupta, IAS, Principal Secretary.
Q. Does the scheme cover long-distance bus routes?
Ans. Yes. The official notification confirms that free travel is available on both short-route and long-route state-run buses for public service in various categories of buses across West Bengal.
Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.