On the occasion of International Women’s Day BMTC has made bus travel free of cost on March 8, 2023. Women can travel for free on all buses in the city, including the air-conditioned Vajra and Vayu Vajra services.
Official Statement by the BMTC
This initiative aims to make commuting safe for women and reduce air pollution and traffic and traffic congestion. According to the reports, the BMTC expects half of the city’s women population to travel in the buses during the day. The authorities will be losing a potential revenue of Rs. 8.17 crores while implementing this activity.
BMTC status
According to government data, Bengaluru city has a total of 6,798 buses and they cover a distance of over 10 lakh kilometers a day. The BMTC buses carry over 29 lakh passengers on average.
“In this background, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, BMTC has provided free travel facilities to all Women passengers in all its bus services including AC Vajra and Vayu Vajra (Airport) Services.”
This is not the first time that BMTC has offered free rides for the citizens. On 15 August 2022, after completing a service for 25 years, the BMTC introduced a similar initiative for commuters.
Social Media Reactions
Women citizens are elated at the news of free bus services.
Women passengers on my bus are pleasantly surprised when our conductor declines money for ticket and says “ivattu Mahila dinaa-cha-ra-na”@BMTC_BENGALURU estimates 20 lakh women are likely avail free travel today on all buses including Airport bus #InternationalWomensDay pic.twitter.com/LlnIhf7L9D
— Srinivas Alavilli (@srinualavilli) March 8, 2023
Ladies Special! Nice gesture by @BMTC_BENGALURU Free bus travel for women on Wed to mark #WomensDay2023 #InternationalWomensDay #InternationalWomensDay2023 pic.twitter.com/JvtYZm2xHD
— S. Lalitha (@Lolita_TNIE) March 7, 2023
Seeing buses full of women making the most of the free travel offer this morning. How lovely 🙂 @BMTC_BENGALURU
— Udbhavi (she/her) (@bhavibee) March 8, 2023
Free bus rides for women, re-introduction of double-deckers, cashless payment, real-time tracking, mini buses, and PIS display boards at stops — these are some of the suggestions given by 550 citizens on improving transport services @sriramulubjp @KSRTC_Journeys @BMTC_BENGALURU pic.twitter.com/TMI4042shY
— ChristinMathewPhilip (@ChristinMP_) March 2, 2022
