The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has approved free travel for women aged above 60 years in ordinary buses operated by the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC). The decision has been taken under the ‘Sashakt Nari’ commitment of the Lok Kalyan Sankalp-2022 and is aimed at making public transport more accessible to senior women across the state.
According to government estimates, around 88,438 women passengers are expected to benefit from the facility every day. The provision will provide relief from daily travel expenses and enable senior women to use public transport for personal, social and other routine requirements without having to bear the cost of bus travel.
Special Smart Cards to Be Issued
To implement the facility, UPSRTC will issue special smart cards to women aged above 60 years who are eligible for free travel. The cards will help identify beneficiaries and facilitate their travel on ordinary buses operated by the corporation.
The introduction of smart cards is also expected to provide a standardised mechanism for implementing and monitoring the concession. Eligible passengers will be able to use the cards while travelling on UPSRTC ordinary bus services.
Also Read: Ganga Expressway to Be Extended to Haridwar at ₹10,761 Crore
₹22.55 Crore Additional Monthly Expenditure
The scheme will entail an additional expenditure of ₹22.55 crore per month for the state government. The decision is expected to reduce the financial burden of public transport for senior women and improve their access to bus services, particularly for regular travel within the state.
The initiative forms part of the state government’s measures under the ‘Sashakt Nari’ commitment, with the focus on improving mobility and access to public services for women aged above 60 years.
