Bandipora, Jul 17 (KNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) buses operating on the Bandipora-Srinagar route are facing serious allegations of discrimination against women passengers who are entitled to free rides under a government scheme.

Several women commuters while speaking with the Kashmir News Service (KNS), have raised concerns that JKRTC bus drivers are deliberately bypassing them during morning hours, favouring male passengers instead. The government’s free ride scheme for women, aimed at easing daily travel and empowering female mobility, is allegedly being ignored by those responsible for implementing it.

Nahida, a daily commuter, shared her experience: “The drivers ask us to wait at the main chowk if the bus is coming from the upper side, but they never stop. It’s like they’re doing us a personal favour, not following an official directive.” She said that despite the government's policy, many drivers behave as if they are offering a charity, not a right.

She also alleged that drivers prefer male passengers who pay fares, enabling the drivers to earn money outside the system.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel“Each morning, drivers coordinate with agents in the main market who gather male passengers. These men are picked up first, and by the time the bus reaches women waiting along the route, it's already full or simply skips them,” she said.

Another woman commuter echoed these concerns, stating that this has become a daily ordeal. “We leave home early in the morning and still don’t get a seat, while male passengers are picked up in bulk from fixed spots. This discrimination must stop,” she said.

The affected women have appealed to the Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) of Bandipora and the District Administration to intervene immediately. They are demanding strict monitoring, enforcement of the free ride scheme, and disciplinary action against drivers who violate it.

Locals stress that the free ride policy was meant to support women—not sideline them—and have called on the authorities to restore fairness and accountability in public transport operations. (KNS)