From Friday, women commuters will get 50 per cent concession on tickets on all types of buses run by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), reported PTI.
According to a press release issued by MSRTC, the benefit will be extended under the “Mahila Samman Yojana” and the state government will reimburse the concession amount to the corporation.
On March 9, while presenting the state's budget for 2023-24, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the finance portfolio, announced a 50% concession for all women passengers on public transportation buses.
MSRTC officials said it would be difficult to determine how many women will be benefited from the scheme as they were not issuing gender-linked tickets earlier. MSRTC expects the population of women passengers to be in the range of 35-40 per cent of its total bus users, they said.
This move by the state government is aimed at promoting women’s mobility and encouraging their participation in various sectors of the society.
The initiative is expected to benefit a large number of women who use public transport on a daily basis for their commute to work or for other purposes.
MSRTC has a fleet of more than 15,000 buses, and ferries over 50 lakh passengers each day. MSRTC transports more than 50 lakh people each day. As per the press release, the state transport already provides discounts ranging from 33 per cent to 100 per cent on ticket fares to different sections of the society.
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The Maharashtra government, celebrating 75th anniversary of India’s independence, declared 100 per cent concession to senior people over 75 years of age and a 50 per cent concession to passengers between the ages of 65 and 74 on all types of MSRTC buses.
(With inputs from PTI)