Siliguri, 01st June: Free travel in state-run buses for women officially began across West Bengal from Monday following an announcement made by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari after the formation of the new government.
Scenes of enthusiasm were witnessed from early morning at Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus in Siliguri, where women passengers gathered in large numbers to avail the service on buses operated by the North Bengal State Transport Corporation.
Women travelling to destinations including Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar were seen collecting seat numbers at ticket counters after showing Aadhaar cards or other government identity documents.
For long-distance buses, conductors verified identity documents after passengers boarded the buses and issued free tickets accordingly.
The initiative has allowed women passengers to travel to their destinations without paying any fare. The first day of the service witnessed heavy rush and excitement at the bus terminus.
Daily commuters, working women, students and tourists expressed happiness over the initiative, saying the reduction in travel expenses would ease household financial burdens to some extent.
The newly launched service received widespread response across North Bengal on its very first day.