New Delhi, October 28: The free bus service scheme announced by the Delhi state government for female passengers will be implemented from Tuesday, on the occasion of Bhai Dooj. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced today that all measures have been taken to smoothly implement the scheme. The security of women remains a top priority as the government has decided to deploy over 13,000 security marshals for safeguarding the buses. Free Ride on Delhi Metro For Women: Supreme Court Criticises AAP Government, Says 'If There Are Freebies, Then There Will be Problem'.

"Bus marshals will be deployed in all buses in Delhi from tomorrow for safety of public, specially women. About 13,000 bus marshals have been recruited for this," Kejriwal said. He further added that the free ride for women will boost their participation in the workforce and involvement in public life.

The free bus service for women is optional, with passengers coming from well-off families being requested by the state government to let go off the subsidy. The scheme is aimed at creating an equal opportunity for women who come from financially stressed backgrounds, transport Minister Kailash Gehlot had earlier said.

Notably, the free bus service scheme for women passengers was approved by the Delhi Cabinet on August 29. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-controlled State Assembly had allocated an additional expenditure grant of Rs 479 crore for the Transport department.

Of the said amount, Rs 140 crore subsidy has been assigned for free bus travel, whereas, Rs 150 crore has been set aside for free metro rides for female passengers. The free service for women in metro would, however, take time to be implemented. This compelled the Kejriwal government to go ahead with only the free bus service for now.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 28, 2019 12:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).