Zero-ticket travel scheme: Women complain of overcrowding, denial of free bus rides

Srinagar, Apr 18: Just weeks after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah launched the Zero-Ticket Travel initiative to offer free bus rides for women across the region, the scheme is already facing significant setbacks. Complaints from female commuters are pouring in, with many reporting incidents of harassment, overcrowding, and even outright denial of service by bus drivers and conductors.
The initiative, launched with much fanfare on April 1 at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), promised free travel for women on all Smart City and JKRTC buses. While the scheme was initially met with overwhelming response, with over 3.5 lakh women using the service in its first week, passengers are now expressing growing concerns about their safety and comfort during their rides.
Multiple incidents have been reported across the city where drivers allegedly refused to stop for women at designated bus stops or conductors forced them to deboard, citing overcrowding. In some cases, passengers allege that conductors misbehaved and even used abusive language.
“I boarded the bus from Bemina, but the conductor forced all women to get down while allowing more male passengers to board—even though the bus was already full,” said one woman, who recorded the incident on her phone. “When we objected, he began shouting and insulting us.”
Another commuter shared a similarly troubling experience: “The conductor yelled at women for boarding and crammed the bus with men. Some of them touched us inappropriately. I’ve used Smart Buses in Delhi and expected the same decency here. Now, I avoid them altogether.”
The situation is further compounded by reports of conductors refusing to issue printed tickets to fare-paying women. “I boarded an e-bus from Srinagar to Ganderbal, paid the fare, but the conductor refused to give me a printed ticket,” said Shazia Akhtar (name changed), another commuter. “When I asked why, he claimed the POS machine wasn’t working and refused to respond further.”
Passengers also highlight that overcrowding during peak hours has become a recurring issue, turning what was meant to be a safe and comfortable travel option into a stressful experience. Several women say they have now stopped using the Smart Bus service entirely due to fears of harassment and discomfort.
“This scheme was supposed to empower us and provide dignity,” said Lubna Malik, a college student. “But what’s the point of free travel if we’re humiliated, harassed, or denied service? It’s become more of a burden than a benefit.”
Echoing this sentiment, Fiza Rashid, another regular commuter from Rajbagh added, “Unless conductors and drivers are held accountable and trained properly, this initiative could end up doing more harm than good.”
As complaints pour in, passengers are urging authorities—including the Regional Transport Officer, SSP Traffic, and Smart City officials—to take immediate action. Many argue that the ongoing misconduct defeats the purpose of the Zero-Ticket scheme and deters women from using public transport.
“Launching schemes is not enough,” said Uzair Ahmed, a daily commuter. “There must be proper monitoring. If drivers refuse to pick up women or mistreat them, what message does that send?”
Efforts to contact RTO Srinagar and Smart City officials were unsuccessful. However, a senior traffic official, speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged the challenges and stated that additional oversight measures are being considered.
“We have received multiple complaints and are in the process of identifying recurring issues,” the official said. “There will be surprise inspections and stricter penalties for misconduct to ensure that the purpose of the scheme is not defeated.”
Interestingly, these concerns come at a time when the Smart Bus service is otherwise being praised. Since its launch on November 1 2023, by LG Manoj Sinha, the e-bus service—touted as the “mini metro” of Kashmir—has earned acclaim for its modern amenities and reliability. Equipped with ultra-HD dash cameras, accessible stop buttons, and advanced climate control systems tailored for the region’s weather, the buses were seen as a major leap toward sustainable and inclusive urban mobility.
In 2024 alone, the e-buses transported over 61 lakh passengers and generated Rs 11 crore in revenue, underscoring their growing role in Kashmir’s public transport system.
However, the credibility of both the e-bus service and the Zero-Ticket scheme now hinges on how swiftly and effectively the government addresses these emerging problems.
Restoring public trust is essential. The scheme’s original promise—gender-inclusive, safe, and dignified travel—can only be fulfilled if authorities enforce accountability, train staff adequately, and prioritize passenger well-being.