The Kejriwal government has made a significant decision to provide a life of dignity for the transgender community residing in Delhi. Similar to women, the government has announced free bus travel for the transgender community in Delhi. While making this announcement, CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal stated that a proposal will soon be passed in the cabinet to implement this. Just like women receive free tickets while traveling in buses, the transgender community will also be granted free tickets. Our government announced free bus travel for women in October 2019, and since then, approximately 147 crore free tickets have been provided to women.
The CM further expressed concern about the neglect faced by the transgender community in our social environment, emphasizing that they are also human beings with equal rights. He hopes that this decision by the government will greatly benefit the transgender community.
On Monday, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal issued a statement, saying, “The Transgender community has been neglected by everyone to date. In the history of 75 years since Independence, no other government has done anything for the transgender community. They have been perceived with great disregard.”
“Today, the Delhi Government has taken a momentous decision to arrange for free travel in the Delhi’s buses of Delhi. As we provide free tickets to women in Delhi, in the same way, all the individuals belonging to the transgender community will be provided with the convenience of free travel in Delhi’s buses,” the Delhi CM added.
CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal further added that the Delhi Government has decided this. Now this will be put before the cabinet, once the cabinet’s decision is notified then this facility will commence at the earliest. We will try to get it implemented within a few weeks.
The Chief Minister shared that in October 2019, they announced the free bus travel scheme for all women in Delhi, and it’s been well received by the women. Approximately 14 lakh women travel daily in these buses for free. “During my interaction with a few women, I got to know that women belonging to different categories whether students, housewives, workers, salaried, local vendors, got benefited by this scheme,” he added.
“Since October 2019 to date, 147 crore free tickets have been awarded to women, and now the transgender community has been added to this. Now, they’ll also get the benefit of the convenience of traveling for free on Delhi’s buses. I hope that this will help them immensely, making their lives better,” the CM concluded.
CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, stating, “The transgender community is often neglected in our social environment. This should not happen, as they are also human beings with equal rights. The Delhi government has decided that travel in Delhi buses will now be entirely free for the transgender community. This decision will soon be passed by the cabinet and implemented. I have full hope that this decision will bring significant benefits to the transgender community.”
Benefit will be provided based on the government certificate: Kailash Gehlot
Transgender individuals will receive the benefit of free bus services based on the government certificate. Currently, certificates for transgender individuals are issued by the district magistrate offices of all districts. The Transport Department has requested information from the Department of Social Welfare. Transport Minister Shri Kailash Gahlot stated, “Transgender individuals will avail themselves of free bus services based on data received from the Social Welfare Department. Discussions are underway with the Social Welfare Department to consider consolidating the entire data of transgender individuals for the Transport Department. This initiative is expected to benefit thousands of transgender individuals in Delhi.”
As per THE TRANSGENDER PERSONS (PROTECTION OF RIGHTS) ACT, 2019, “transgender person” means a person whose gender does not match the gender assigned to that person at birth and includes trans-man or trans-woman (whether or not such person has undergone Sex Reassignment Surgery or hormone therapy or laser therapy or such other therapy), person with intersex variations, genderqueer and person having such socio-cultural identities as Kinner, hijra, aravani and jogta.
According to Census 2011, it was found that the overall population of transgender is 4,87,803 in India. The population of transgender in Delhi is 0.86% of the total population.
Reasons to provide free travel
Absence of Recognition:
Currently, there is no acknowledgement of individuals within the Third Gender Community on bus passes, leading to a lack of representation for those who identify themselves as a distinct gender separate from male and female.
Forced Binary Choice:
Members of the Transgender community are compelled to choose between male and female genders when using bus passes, causing distress and discomfort as their true identity is not recognized.
Harassment and Accusations:
Routine berating by conductors, especially when individuals from the TG Community choose the female gender, adds to their misery. Accusations of attempting to procure free bus tickets further exacerbate their trauma.
Promotion of Social Equality:
Providing cost-free travel for individuals belonging to the TG Community in Delhi’s all buses aligns with the promotion of social equality. Historically marginalized, this community deserves an opportunity for integration into the larger societal framework, fostering dignity and breaking down social barriers.
The Delhi Government has already implemented free travel for women passengers on its buses through Pink passes since October 29, 2019. As of the end of December 2023, the number of Pink tickets issued has reached 147 crores. The average daily ridership of female passengers on buses is 14 lakhs.
