The Shakti scheme, introduced on June 11, 2023, is one of the five flagship guarantee schemes rolled out by the Congress government after assuming office last year.  | Photo Credit: File photo

Shakti scheme boosts bus ridership by 23.17 lakh passengers daily in Karnataka

The Shakti scheme, introduced on June 11, 2023, is one of the five flagship guarantee schemes rolled out by the Congress government after assuming office last year

by · The Hindu

The Karnataka government’s ambitious Shakti scheme, which offers free bus travel to women domiciled in the State, has led to a significant rise in public bus ridership. According to the Transport Department, the State-run transport corporations have recorded an average increase of 23.17 lakh passengers daily since the scheme’s launch.

Data from the Transport Department shows a marked increase in daily ridership on State-run buses. Before the Shakti scheme, an average of 93.46 lakh passengers used these buses daily. After its implementation, the figure surged to 116.63 lakh passengers.

The Shakti scheme, introduced on June 11, 2023, is one of the five flagship guarantee schemes rolled out by the Congress government after assuming office last year. This initiative aims to empower women by enhancing their mobility.

Govt. owes ₹1,180.61 crore to RTCs

To facilitate the scheme, the four State road transport corporations — Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC) — collectively spent ₹4,38,036.59 lakh between June 2023 and March 2024.

However, the government has reimbursed ₹3,19,975 lakh to these corporations based on the number of zero-fare tickets issued to women commuters during the same period. This leaves a pending amount of ₹1,18,061.59 lakh, yet to be reimbursed, according to data.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy shared these details during the Winter Session of the Assembly held in Belagavi.

Addressing queries about the scheme, the Minister emphasised its success, stating that the increase in passenger numbers reflects how beneficial it has been for women commuters. “To cope with the increased demand for public transportation, the government has added 4,304 new buses from 2023 until December 2024. Furthermore, plans are in place to add another 1,346 buses across the four corporations to ensure a smooth travel experience for all passengers,” he said.

Published - December 11, 2024 08:43 pm IST