Day 2 of Shakthi: 41.34 lakh women avail free bus travel service

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: On the second day of the Shakthi, a free bus travel scheme for women launched by the State government, an overwhelming 41.34 lakh passengers took advantage of the initiative across the state on Tuesday. According to a release, the KSRTC has issued the tickets to 41,34,726 women from midnight of Sunday till midnight of Monday registering a ticket distribution amounting to Rs 8.83 crores.

As many as 11.4 lakh women travelled in KSRTC buses with the ticket distribution of Rs 3.57 crores, 17.57 lakh women travelled in BMTC with ticket distribution of 1.7 core, 8.31 lakh women travelled in NWKRTC with Rs 2.10 crore ticket distribution. Women passengers numbering 4.04 lakh travelled in Kalyana Karnataka state run buses with ticket distribution of Rs 1.39 crore.

On the first day of launch, a total of 5,71,023 women passengers travelled for free in the staterun ordinary buses between 1 pm to 12 am in the midnight according to transport department sources. Speaking to media persons, State transport minister R Ramalingareddy said his department had received tremendous response for the scheme with nearly 42 lakh women travelling on the second day. Most of the women students were found to be travelling on state run buses to their colleges after leaving their two wheelers at their home carrying their Aadhar card.  

The department has also received complaints from the public. Instructions have been given to KSRTC officials to provide stops in all bus stands failing which drivers and conductors will be suspended for violating the orders, he said.