Karnataka spends Rs 12,669 crore on 500 crore bus trips under Shakti scheme for women

Before the launch of Shakti, around 85.84 lakh passengers used state-run buses daily. This number has now risen to 1.17 crore passengers per day.

The Congress-led Karnataka government’s flagship Shakti scheme, offering free bus travel for women, marked a milestone on July 14 by clocking 500 crore trips since its launch in 2023.

CM Siddaramaiah symbolically issued the 500th crore ticket to a woman passenger in a BMTC bus at Windsor Circle in Bengaluru on Monday. He was joined by deputy CM DK Shivakumar and transport minister Ramalinga Reddy. The cumulative value of tickets under the scheme now stands at Rs 12,669 crore.

Also, read: Women in Karnataka record over 100 crore free bus rides under Shakti scheme

“Under this scheme, women residents of Karnataka- including female students and transgender women-can travel free of cost across the state in city, ordinary, and express buses,” said an official.

Before the launch of Shakti, around 85.84 lakh passengers used state-run buses daily. This number has now risen to 1.17 crore passengers per day.

“The five guarantee schemes were announced during the 2023 assembly elections. Shakti scheme was launched on June 11, 2023, as per the cabinet’s decision soon after the government was formed on May 20. Since then, free travel in government buses has been provided to women in the state,” said Siddaramaiah.

Deputy CM DK Shivakumar reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the guarantee schemes. “Our government will not stop these schemes under any circumstances. Congress has introduced many welfare schemes in this country- from pension programmes and NREGA to bank nationalisation. No one, not even the BJP, can stop them”.

“With Shakti, women can travel anywhere in the state without spending a rupee. Many working women are saving between Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 every month.” said Shivakumar.

To support the scheme, the government approved the addition of 5,800 new buses. Of these, 5,049 have already been deployed across the four state-run transport corporations. The state also approved filling 9,000 vacancies. So far, 6,700 direct hires and 1,000 compassionate appointments have been completed, totalling 10,000 new recruits.

The number of scheduled services has increased from 21,164 (pre-Shakti) to 23,635. The total fleet size has grown from 23,948 to 26,130 buses, including the replacement of 2,828 old vehicles.

As part of the 500 crore milestone celebration, Chief Minister, deputy CM, and transport minister felicitated 30 women passengers- including students, senior citizens, and transgender individuals- with Ilkal sarees, sweets, and roses. The woman who received the symbolic 500th crore ticket was honoured with a shawl, floral garland, and memento by the Chief Minister.

Also, read: Free bus travel for women: Karnataka needs to quickly add buses to cater to spike in demand