Punjab waives fares on Roadways buses for NEET UG aspirants; admit card valid as ticket
The announcement was made after concerns were raised about the financial difficulties faced by several candidates travelling to examination centres. According to the statement, many students from economically weaker backgrounds struggle even to arrange transport fare for reaching exam centres.
On Tuesday, the National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled NEET-UG a little over a week after the examination was conducted for 22.05 lakh candidates across the country on May 3. (Representational image/File) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday announced free travel in Punjab Roadways buses for students appearing in the NEET examination from June 20 to 22, following an appeal by AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal after aspirants flagged financial difficulties in reaching examination centres.
The move came after several students wrote to Kejriwal saying many candidates from poor families were struggling to arrange money for travel. Acting on the request, the Punjab government decided to allow NEET aspirants to travel free of cost in all Punjab Roadways buses by simply showing their admit cards.
ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੇ ਗਰੀਬ ਵਿਦਿਆਰਥੀ NEET ਪ੍ਰੀਖਿਆ ਦਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕੋਲ ਪ੍ਰੀਖਿਆ ਕੇਂਦਰ ਤੱਕ ਜਾਣ ਲਈ ਕਿਰਾਏ ਲਈ ਪੈਸੇ ਵੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦੇ। ਜਦੋਂ ਕੇਜਰੀਵਾਲ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਹਾਲ ਹੀ ਵਿੱਚ NEET ਦੇ ਵਿਦਿਆਰਥੀਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਗੱਲ ਕੀਤੀ, ਤਾਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਮਦਦ ਦੀ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਕੀਤੀ। NEET ਪ੍ਰੀਖਿਆ 21 ਜੂਨ ਨੂੰ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਲਈ, ਪੰਜਾਬ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨੇ 20, 21 ਅਤੇ 22 ਜੂਨ…
— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) May 20, 2026
In a video message, Kejriwal asked students to remain focused and not lose motivation. “Prepare well, study with full dedication and keep your spirits high. All of you will become doctors and your dreams will come true,” he said while wishing candidates success in the examination.
Mann said it was the government’s responsibility to help children realise their dreams. “Many children do not even have enough money to afford travel to the examination centre. Therefore, on June 20, 21 and 22, students only need to show their admit card to travel free in Punjab Roadways buses,” he said.
The chief minister urged aspirants to concentrate fully on their preparations and expressed hope that they would succeed and bring pride to their families and the state.
Sharing the announcement on social media platform X, Mann reiterated that the facility was aimed at ensuring that no deserving student faced hardship in appearing for the medical entrance examination.
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