Is Karnataka Govt Planning To End Free Bus Rides For Women? Details Inside

Bengaluru: Amid the poor fiscal situation of the state, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday said the his government will review the Shakti scheme under which women in the state get to travel free in all KSRTC's non-luxury and Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses.

Deputy CM Shivakumar said that it has come to their attention that women in the state want to pay for their bus tickets.  

Will Free Bus Rides For Women In Karnataka End?

“Many women have been communicating to us through social media and emails that they would like to pay for their tickets. We will discuss this,” Deputy CM Shivakumar said after  flagging off new Airavata club class 2.0 buses of the state-owned Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC).   

'Bus Conductors Not Taking Money From Women'

Shakti Scheme offers free ride to women in non-luxury buses across Karnataka. It was launched on June 11, 2023 after Congress came back into power with a comfortable win over the BJP in the 2023 Assembly polls.  

Shivakumar also said that bus conductors are refraining from taking money from women even if they are willing to pay. 

 “About 5 to 10 per cent women say that the conductors are not taking money for the tickets even when they volunteer. I will soon hold a meeting with Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy and discuss this,” he said.  

As of October 18, 2024, the state has invested Rs 7,507.35 crore in the Shakti scheme, which has provided 311.07 crore free rides for women.