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

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

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

Will Free Bus Rides For Women In Karnataka End?

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

'Bus Conductors t Taking Money From Women'

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

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

 “About 5 to 10 per cent women say that conductors are t taking money for tickets even when y volunteer. I will soon hold a meeting with Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy and discuss this,” he said.  

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