Karnataka: Free bus travel from Sunday; riders to get smart cards in 3 months

BENGALURU: The state government on Monday issued guidelines for the 'Shakti Yojana,' under which women can travel free in state-run buses from June 11. This was one of the five poll guarantees that Congress had promised if elected.
Under the scheme, women are required to apply through the Seva Sindhu portal to obtain Shakti Smart Cards, which serve as identity cards, to avail themselves of the free bus service. Transgenders too can make use of the scheme. "The application process will be available for the next three months. Till they get smart cards, women can use any of the identity cards issued either by the Centre or state government,"the order said.
Only intrastate trips are free
But there are certain riders. The scheme is applicable only for intrastate travel. Luxury buses such as Rajahamsa, non-AC sleeper, Vayuvajra, Airavata, Airavata Club Class, Airavata Gold Class, Ambari, Ambari Dream Class, Ambari Utsav, Fly Bus, and EV Power Plus buses don't come under the free-ride scheme.
Beneficiaries of the scheme should be residents of Karnataka. The benefits of the scheme can be availed of on buses operated by Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, North-west Karnataka Road Transport Corporation and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation.
Other than BMTC, 50% of seats will be reserved for men in the remaining three corporations. When the Congress, in its manifesto, had promised women free bus rides, none of these riders were mentioned.