Karnataka’s Shakti scheme, a bold initiative launched by the Congress government on June 11, 2023, has transformed how women travel across the state. Celebrating its second anniversary in 2025, this program has empowered over 474 crore women to ride state-run buses for free, making public transport more accessible and fostering independence. Designed as one of five key pre-election promises, the scheme reflects Karnataka’s commitment to gender equality and affordability in transportation.
How the Scheme Works
The Shakti scheme allows women domiciled in Karnataka to travel at no cost on non-premium buses operated by four state transport corporations: KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC. To avail of the benefit, women need only present a valid identity document—either issued by the state or central government—confirming their Karnataka residency. This simple process ensures a zero-fare ticket for ordinary and express bus services within the state. However, premium services like Airavat, Rajahamsa, and Vajra are not covered under the scheme.
Impressive Reach and Impact
Since its launch, the Shakti scheme has facilitated an astounding 801.54 crore passenger journeys across Karnataka’s transport corporations, with women accounting for nearly 60% of these trips. The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) leads with over 150.69 crore female passengers, followed closely by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) with 144.23 crore. The North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC) recorded 111.10 crore and 68.78 crore women passengers, respectively.
| Transport Corporation | Women Passengers (Crore) | Percentage of Total Journeys |
|---|---|---|
| BMTC | 150.69 | 31.73% |
| KSRTC | 144.23 | 30.36% |
| NWKRTC | 111.10 | 23.39% |
| KKRTC | 68.78 | 14.48% |
The state government has reimbursed the transport corporations a staggering ₹11,994.37 crore to cover the notional ticket value of these free rides, underscoring the scheme’s significant financial commitment to women’s mobility.
Challenges and Future Plans
Despite its success, the Shakti scheme faces some hurdles. A plan to issue smart cards for beneficiaries has been delayed due to a shortage of electronic ticketing machines (ETMs) across buses. Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has acknowledged the issue, noting that the infrastructure for smart card implementation is still in progress. For now, women continue to access free travel by presenting valid ID to obtain a zero-fare ticket, a process that has worked smoothly but could be streamlined with technology.
A Step Toward Inclusivity
The Shakti scheme is more than just free bus rides—it’s a lifeline for countless women, enabling them to pursue education, employment, and personal errands without the burden of travel costs. By removing financial barriers, Karnataka is paving the way for greater gender equity and social empowerment. As the scheme evolves, the introduction of smart cards and expanded infrastructure could further enhance its efficiency, ensuring even more women benefit in the years to come.
FAQs
Women with Karnataka domicile can avail free travel on non-premium state-run buses by showing valid state or central government ID.
The scheme includes ordinary and express buses operated by KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC, but excludes premium services like Airavat and Rajahamsa.
The rollout of smart cards is delayed due to insufficient electronic ticketing machines (ETMs) in buses, but plans are in place to implement them.
Over 474 crore women have benefited, saving ₹11,994.37 crore in travel costs and gaining better access to education, work, and personal opportunities.