Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday announced free metro rides and free bus rides for women in Delhi, in a populist move that comes ahead of next year’s Assembly elections.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Kejriwal said, “On all DTC buses, cluster buses and metro trains women will be allowed to travel free of cost so that they have a safe travel experience and can access modes of transport which they were not able to, due to high prices.”

He, however, said that the scheme is voluntary and women can choose to pay for the travel.

“Subsidy won’t be imposed on anyone. There are several women who can afford these modes of transport. Those who can afford, can purchase tickets, they needn’t take subsidy. We encourage those, who can afford, to buy tickets and not take subsidy so that others could benefit,” he added.

At least 8.4 lakh women travel in buses and 7.5 lakh women take the Metro daily.

Kejriwal, the chief of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), said that the rule will be implemented in the next 2-3 months.

“I’ve given one-week time to officials to make a detailed proposal – for both DTC and metro – on how and when can this be implemented. We’re making an effort to start this within 2-3 months. We’re also seeking suggestions from people, regarding implementation,” he said.

At a public meeting in New Delhi on Sunday, Kejriwal had said that the move is aimed at encouraging them to use public transport in view of their safety.

According to reports, Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot has already taken meetings to discuss various aspects of fare-waiver to women in all public transport buses and Delhi Metro.

While implementing free travel for women in buses run by Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and Delhi Integrated Multi Modal System (DIMTS) is not a challenge, it will be difficult to do so in Delhi Metro.

The Delhi government and the Centre are 50:50 equity partners in the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

Kejriwal said that the Delhi government will bear the expenses and will not have to take approval of the Centre for this.

“Initially we’d told Centre not to increase prices of tickets, they didn’t agree. We told them we’ve 50-50 partnership, let’s give 50-50 subsidy on raised prices, they didn’t agree. Delhi government will bear the fare of what we’re going to do. We needn’t take approval for this,” he said, clearly hinting at a fresh flashpoint between the Centre and the state.