West Bengal Free Bus Travel for Women 2026: Pink Card Apply, ID Proof & Buses Covered
Since 1 June 2026, women can travel free of cost on all state government-run buses in West Bengal — on short and long routes, "from the hills to the plains". You simply show a valid photo ID (Aadhaar, voter card, PAN, passport, driving licence, pension document or a government ID card) and the conductor gives a zero-value ticket. The state is also issuing a QR-coded smart card, popularly called the Pink Card, through BDO and SDO offices. Private buses are not covered.
Free bus travel for women: key details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme | Free travel for women in state-run buses (Pink Card scheme) |
| Department | Transport Department, Government of West Bengal |
| Notification | 21 May 2026 |
| Start date | 1 June 2026 |
| Who | Women passengers (students, working women, homemakers, senior citizens) |
| Which buses | Government-operated buses — short-route and long-route — of the state transport undertakings (such as WBTC, SBSTC and NBSTC) |
| Not covered | Privately operated buses, mini-buses and other private transport |
| How to travel now | Show a valid photo ID → conductor issues a zero-value ticket |
| Smart / Pink Card | Apply at the BDO (rural) or SDO (sub-division) office |
How the scheme started
Free bus travel for women was a promise of the BJP's 2026 election campaign. After taking office, the government's first Cabinet decided that the scheme would start on 1 June 2026, alongside Annapurna Yojana. The Transport Department issued the notification on 21 May 2026, and women began travelling free on 1 June 2026 on state-run buses across the state. In the Budget 2026-27 (22 June 2026), the government provided an additional ₹550 crore to continue the free service and announced the issue of "pink cards".
How to travel free today — step by step
- Board a government bus. Look for state transport corporation buses — the ones run by the government, not private operators. If unsure, ask the conductor before boarding.
- Show a valid photo ID when the conductor comes for tickets. The ID should show your photo and name clearly.
- Take the zero-value ticket. The conductor issues a ticket worth ₹0. Keep it till the end of your journey — ticket checkers may ask for it.
- Once you get the Pink Card, show it instead of the ID. The QR code is scanned/verified by the conductor.
Which ID cards are accepted?
Until the smart card reaches everyone, women must show a valid photo identity document. The notification lists:
- Aadhaar card
- Voter ID card (EPIC)
- PAN card
- Passport
- Driving licence
- Pension documents with photo
- Government-issued identity cards
- School / college / university ID cards — accepted in certain cases (for students)
Tip: keep a clear photocopy or the mAadhaar / DigiLocker copy on your phone as a back-up, but carry the original card when possible — some conductors may insist on a physical ID.
Pink Card (smart card): how to apply
The smart card makes travel faster and prevents misuse. It carries the beneficiary's photograph, personal details and a unique QR code.
- Collect the application form at your BDO office (rural areas) or SDO office (sub-division / urban areas). Apply in your own district or jurisdiction.
- Fill in your details and attach a photocopy of your photo ID and address proof, plus a recent passport-size photo.
- Submit the form and take the acknowledgement slip.
- Verification is done by the Transport Department.
- Collect the smart card when informed. Until then, keep travelling free with your photo ID.
At present, smart card applications are accepted offline. If the Transport Department opens an online portal, apply only through transport.wb.gov.in or links shared by the government — never through unknown websites.
Documents for the Pink Card
- Photo ID — Aadhaar / voter card / PAN / driving licence / passport
- Proof of West Bengal address (Aadhaar or voter card usually works)
- Recent passport-size colour photograph
- For students: school/college ID card
Which buses are covered — and which are not
✅ Covered
- State government-operated city buses
- Government long-route / district buses
- Government buses in the hills and the plains
❌ Not covered
- Private buses and mini-buses
- Auto, toto, taxi, app cabs
- Trains and Metro (central/railway services)
The notification does not separately mention AC, premium (Volvo) or inter-state services. Practice may differ by corporation and route, so ask the conductor before you board an AC or inter-state bus.
Who benefits and how much you save
The scheme helps students going to school and college, women going to work, women travelling to hospitals and government offices, and elderly women visiting family. A woman travelling daily by government bus can save several hundred to a few thousand rupees every month. One passenger told a news agency on launch day that she travelled 50–60 km a day and had been spending more than ₹8,500 a month on transport.
Combine benefits: eligible women aged 25–60 also receive ₹3,000 a month under Annapurna Yojana. Students can look at the new Bhagini Nivedita ₹50,000 scheme and Kanyaratna.
Problems and complaints
- Conductor refuses a zero-value ticket on a government bus: note the bus number, route, date and time and complain to the depot / corporation office or the Transport Department.
- ID not accepted: carry Aadhaar or voter card — these are the most widely accepted.
- Pink Card delayed: follow up at the BDO/SDO office with your acknowledgement slip. You can keep travelling free with your photo ID meanwhile.
Frequently asked questions
Is bus travel free for women in West Bengal?
Yes. Since 1 June 2026, women travel free on all state government-run buses in West Bengal, on both short and long routes. Private buses are not included.
What is the Pink Card in West Bengal?
It is the smart card issued to women under the free bus travel scheme. It has the holder's photo, details and a QR code, and replaces the need to show an ID card every time.
How do I apply for the WB Pink Card?
Collect the form at your BDO or SDO office, attach a photo ID, address proof and photograph, and submit it. After verification by the Transport Department, you receive the smart card.
Can I travel free without the Pink Card?
Yes. Until you receive the smart card, show a valid photo ID such as Aadhaar or voter card and the conductor will issue a zero-value ticket.
Is free travel available in private buses?
No. The scheme covers government-operated buses only.
Do girls and senior women also get free travel?
The scheme is for women passengers; students, working women, homemakers and senior citizens are all covered on government buses. Young students may be asked for a school or college ID.
Sources
- Transport Department, Government of West Bengal — notification of 21 May 2026 (reported by PTI)
- Open Magazine / ANI and ETV Bharat — launch of free travel on 1 June 2026
- West Bengal Budget 2026-27 — additional ₹550 crore and pink cards (India.com, 22 June 2026)
- Adda247 current affairs — application process and document list (June 2026)
Disclaimer: Annapurna Bhandar Info is an independent information website and is not connected to the Government of West Bengal. Always confirm details on the official portal or at your BDO/SDO office. We never ask for OTP, Aadhaar, bank or card details.