Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Announces Free Bus Travel For Transgender Community On Govt-Run Vehicles

The proposal is expected to be passed by the cabinet soon, with the hope that this decision will significantly benefit the transgender population, the CM informed. 

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announced free ride for LGBTQ+ in Delhi buses.

In a recent announcement, the Delhi government on Monday expressed its commitment to addressing the social neglect faced by the transgender community. Emphasising equal rights for all, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on X said that the government is introducing free travel for the transgender community in Delhi buses. 

The proposal is expected to be passed by the cabinet soon, with the hope that this decision will significantly benefit the transgender population, the CM informed. 

"The transgender community is largely neglected in our social environment. This should not happen, they are also human beings and they also have equal rights. Delhi government has decided that now travel in Delhi buses will be free for the transgender community also. Soon it will be passed by the cabinet and implemented. I have full hope that this decision will greatly benefit the people of the transgender community," Kejriwal said. 

हमारे सामाजिक परिवेश में किन्नर समाज की काफ़ी उपेक्षा की जाती है। ऐसा नहीं होना चाहिए, वे भी इंसान हैं और उन्हें भी बराबर के अधिकार हैं। दिल्ली सरकार ने फ़ैसला किया है कि दिल्ली की बसों में अब किन्नर समाज के लिए भी सफ़र एकदम फ़्री होगा। जल्द ही इसे कैबिनेट से पास करके लागू कर… pic.twitter.com/3Wa560gKEk

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 5, 2024

The initiative follows the existing policy of providing free travel to women in Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses operated by the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System Limited (DIMTS), which was implemented in October 2019. Now, the government aims to extend this facility to individuals identifying as the third gender.

According to a PTI report, a senior official from the transport department said earlier in the day that the social welfare department of the Delhi government possesses relevant data on the third gender population in the city, facilitating the implementation of the scheme. To avail of the free travel benefit, individuals are expected to submit certificates issued by the revenue department.

Last year, the Delhi High Court urged the city government to consider recognizing the transgender community as the third gender in bus tickets issued by the DTC. Subsequently, the women and child development department of the Delhi government approved several measures for the welfare of transgender people. These measures include the inclusion of a "third gender" category in job application forms and the establishment of monitoring cells to protect them from abuse.

These initiatives align with the National Human Rights Commission's advisory, emphasizing the need to safeguard the welfare of the transgender community. According to the 2011 Census, the transgender population in Delhi was reported as 4,213, with only 1,176 enrolled as voters, highlighting the importance of inclusive policies for this marginalized section of society.