Karnataka's Shakti scheme completes two years
The Shakti scheme, Karnataka's free bus travel initiative for women, marked its second anniversary on June 11 with over 474 crore women passengers having availed the benefit across the State.
Launched on June 11, 2023, by the Congress government, the scheme was one of the five major pre-poll guarantees. The scheme allows women with Karnataka domicile to travel for free in non-premium government buses operated by the four State-run transport corporations-KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC and KKRTC.
According to data shared by the transport department, between June 11, 2023, and June 10, 2025, the four c!orporations together recorded a total of 801.54 crore passenger journeys. Of these, 474.82 crore were women passengers travelling under the Shakti scheme.
The largest number of women beneficiaries were recorded in the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) with over 150.69 crore female passengers. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) followed with 144.23 crore, while North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC) reported 111.10 crore and 68.78 crore, respectively.
The total notional ticket value for the free rides availed by women over the two years stands at ₹11,994.37 crore, which the State Government reimburses to the corporations.
Under the scheme, women can board ordinary and express services within Karnataka by showing valid ID proof issued by the State Government or any Central Government document that confirms domicile.
Premium services such as Airavat, Rajahamsa and Vajra are excluded.
Even though the Shakti Scheme has completed two years, the smart cards meant for beneficiaries are yet to be distributed. Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said that the plan to issue smart cards is in place, but the rollout is delayed due to the lack of electronic ticketing machines (ETMs) in all buses, making implementation unfeasible.
Currently, women passengers avail free travel by presenting a valid identity card issued by the Central or State government to obtain a 'zero ticket'.
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