Bengaluru Shakti Bus Scheme Celebrates 500 Crore Women Journeys Milestone
Karnataka’s Shakti Scheme has secured global recognition after crossing an unprecedented milestone of over 500 crore passenger journeys by women on state-run buses, earning a place in the Golden Book of World Records. The achievement highlights the transformative impact of free public transport in enhancing women’s mobility, access to opportunities, and urban sustainability.
Introduced in June 2023 as the first of Karnataka’s guarantee programmes, the initiative provides free bus travel for women across the state’s four public transport corporations. In just two years, it has clocked 5,049,476,416 passenger journeys—figures that would be impossible for most global transit systems to match within such a short period.
Transport department officials emphasised that the recognition is a testament to both the social and operational turnaround of the sector. The programme began at a time when bus corporations were burdened with debt, faced a shortage of vehicles, and had not recruited staff in years. Through targeted financial assistance worth ₹2,000 crore, the government has since added 5,800 new buses, recruited nearly 10,000 employees, and strengthened route management. The Shakti Scheme’s effect is not only measured in ridership but in wider socio-economic impact. Research from the Sustainable Mobility Network’s Beyond Free Rides study found that women’s employment rose by 23% in Bengaluru and 21% in Hubballi-Dharwad following the scheme’s implementation. Analysts note that free and accessible public mobility enables women to access jobs, education, and markets that were previously restricted due to cost barriers.
The programme has also delivered clear environmental dividends. With more women relying on buses rather than private vehicles, traffic congestion in key corridors has eased and per-capita carbon emissions linked to daily commutes have reduced. Urban mobility experts point out that large-scale adoption of bus-based commuting is crucial for building zero-carbon, inclusive cities. Officials credited the success to the coordination of management boards of KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC and KKRTC, supported by employees and labour unions. They noted that the scheme represents not just a welfare measure but a structural shift in the way urban transport is prioritised, with sustainability and gender equity at its centre.
The influence of Karnataka’s approach is spreading beyond its borders. Several states are now piloting similar women-centric transport programmes, inspired by the success of Shakti. Experts believe that if replicated nationally, such schemes could redefine public transport usage patterns in India and accelerate progress towards sustainable urbanisation. While operational challenges remain—particularly in funding, fleet modernisation, and rural connectivity—the recognition of over 500 crore journeys underlines the potential of equitable mobility policies. For Karnataka, the Shakti Scheme has become a symbol of empowerment and an emblem of how transport reform can transform both society and the economy.
