The West Bengal Transport Department has issued an official notification listing the identity documents that women must carry to avail of free rides on state-run buses. This scheme was announced earlier this month by the state’s newly formed government, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The mandate requires women to present a valid identification document to ensure that the transport benefits directly reach the female residents of the state.
According to the transport department’s directive, women commuters can present any one of several authorized photo identity documents. The extensive list of approved identification includes the EPIC (Voter ID) card, Aadhaar card, Driving License, PAN Card, Passport, Grameen Rozgar Guarantee Card, and the Ayushman Bharat Health Card. Additionally, official identity cards with photographs issued by educational institutions (schools, colleges, or universities), central/state government service cards, public sector undertaking (PSU) IDs, pension documents, or any other photo ID issued by the Government of West Bengal are deemed valid for verification.
To streamline the process in the future, the government plans to issue a dedicated smart card embedded with a QR code, featuring the name and photograph of each beneficiary upon application to local BDO or SDO offices. Until these digital smart cards are systematically distributed, conductors will verify commuters using the aforementioned photo ID list and issue a “Zero Value Ticket” or thermal paper ticket on the spot. Designed to enhance women’s empowerment and increase safe access to public transit, the free-travel scheme is officially set to roll out across the state starting June 1, 2026.
