The Government of Karnataka’s milestone initiative and women empowerment programme Shakti Scheme, which was launched on June 11, 2023, is set to reach a historic milestone on July 14, 2025—by completing 500 Cr trips by women passengers, marking a historical record in public transport history.
By offering free bus travel to women, the scheme has significantly contributed to the economic, social, educational, professional and health empowerment of women across the state.
The unprecedented success of the Shakti Scheme stands as proof of the Government’s bold and progressive commitment towards women’s empowerment.
As part of celebration, today the symbolic 500th Crore ticket was issued to women passenger by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Hon’ble Dy.Chief Minister and Hon’ble Transport & Muzrai Minister. So far, the total ticket value under the scheme is amounted to ₹12,669 crore.
Under this scheme, women residents of Karnataka, including female students, Transgender, women can travel free of cost across the state in city, ordinary, and express buses.
Before the launch of the Shakti Scheme, around 85.84 lakh passengers were travelling by bus daily, now this number risen to 1.17 crore passengers per day, highlighting the scheme’s massive impact.
Strengthening Transport Corporations
To meet the rising demand and enhance service delivery, the Government accorded approval for induction of new buses and initiated large-scale of recruitment, which had previously been halted.
In the past two years:
Approval was granted for the addition of 5,800 new buses, out of which 5,049 buses have already been deployed across the four transport corporations. Permission was given to fill 9,000 vacancies. So far, 6,700 new appointments and 1,000 compassionate appointments have been completed, amounting to 10,000
new recruitments.
Operational Expansion Post-Shakti
The number of scheduled services increased from 21,164 (pre-Shakti) to 23,635 post-Shakti). The total number of buses increased from 23,948 to 26,130, including the replacement of 2,828 old vehicles.
National and International Recognition
Over the last two years, Karnataka’s four state-run transport corporations have collectively received 185 national and international awards, showcasing excellence in public transport.
Celebratory Events across the State
Special Bus Pooja Ceremonies were conducted at major city, taluk, and district bus terminals. The events included traditional rituals, sweet distribution, and the welcoming of women passengers with pink roses.
Success Story from Vijayapura:
Members of Odala Dhwani Stree Sangha, empowered by the Shakti Scheme, started producing and selling organic rotis and holiges in Bengaluru, generating lakhs in revenue. As a gesture of gratitude, they presented rotis to the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and the Transport & Muzrai Minister.
Felicitation:
The Hon’ble Chief Minister, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister, and the Hon’ble Transport & Muzrai Minister presented and felicitated 30 women passengers, including students, senior citizens, and transgender individuals, with Ilkal Sarees, sweets and roses.
The woman who received the 500th Crore Shakti ticket was honoured by the Hon’ble Chief Minister with a shawl, floral garland, and a memento. During the ceremony Hon’ble Social Welfare Department Minister, Hon’ble
Large & Medium Scale Minister, Hon’ble Chief Secretary, Chairman Women Commission, Transport Secretary, MD KSRTC, MD BMTC and other dignitaries were present.
