Shakti Scheme Karnataka: Free Bus Travel for Women
Quick Summary
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scheme | Shakti (ಶಕ್ತಿ) — Guarantee #5 |
| State | Karnataka |
| Department | Transport Department (KSRTC / BMTC / NWKRTC / KKRTC) |
| Launched | 11 June 2023 |
| Benefit | Free travel for women/girls/transgender persons on non-AC government buses |
| Beneficiaries | Women, girls, and transgender persons resident in Karnataka |
| Official Portal | karnataka.gov.in (confirm on the official portal) |
| Status | Active |
About the Scheme
The Shakti Scheme (ಶಕ್ತಿ) is the fifth of Karnataka's five guarantee programmes and provides free public bus travel for women. Launched on 11 June 2023 and run through the state Transport Department and its road transport corporations (KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC), it is one of the most visible and widely used of the guarantee schemes because it touches everyday travel.
The objective is to enable free, safe public mobility for women, improving their access to work, education, healthcare, and other services. By removing the cost of a bus ticket, the scheme makes it easier for women — including students, workers, and homemakers — to travel more freely within the state. For record-keeping, a zero-fare ticket is issued for each free journey.
Shakti applies to ordinary, non-AC government buses within Karnataka and does not require an online application for ordinary travel. Eligible travellers simply board an eligible bus and collect a zero-fare ticket from the conductor. It is important to note what is not covered: AC, luxury, and premium services are outside the scheme, and regular fares apply to those. This guide explains the benefit, who qualifies, what to carry, and the common mistakes to avoid, based on official Karnataka information.
Benefits
The benefit is free travel on eligible government buses:
- Free travel for all women, girl children, and transgender persons.
- Applies to non-luxury, non-AC ordinary government (RTC) buses within Karnataka.
- A zero-fare ticket is issued for each journey, for record.
- No online application is needed for ordinary travel.
Because the benefit is delivered at the point of travel rather than through a bank transfer, it is immediate and easy to use: there is no waiting for approval or crediting of money.
Eligibility Criteria
The scheme is aimed at women and covers specific categories of travellers and buses. Confirm current details on the official portal.
- Women, girls, and transgender persons who are residents of Karnataka.
- Applies to ordinary / non-AC government buses operated by the state RTCs (KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC, KKRTC).
- Not covered: AC / luxury / Vajra / Airavat / premium services (regular fare applies), and private or inter-state services beyond notified limits.
Documents Required
No lengthy paperwork is required for ordinary travel. Carry proof of residence when asked:
- Any Karnataka address/identity proof — such as Aadhaar, voter ID, or another government ID.
- The Shakti Smart Card where it has been issued.
How to Apply
For ordinary travel there is no online application. To use the benefit:
- Carry a Karnataka address/identity proof (Aadhaar / voter ID / other government ID) or the Shakti Smart Card where issued.
- Board an eligible non-AC government bus.
- Collect the free zero-fare ticket from the conductor.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Expecting free travel on AC / luxury buses — regular fare applies to those services.
- Not carrying a Karnataka ID when asked to show proof.
- Not collecting the zero-fare ticket from the conductor.
ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಮಾಹಿತಿ (Key Information in Kannada)
ಯೋಜನೆಯ ಬಗ್ಗೆ: ಶಕ್ತಿ ಯೋಜನೆಯು ಮಹಿಳೆಯರಿಗೆ ಸುರಕ್ಷಿತ ಮತ್ತು ಉಚಿತ ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕ ಪ್ರಯಾಣವನ್ನು ಒದಗಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ಇದನ್ನು ಸಾರಿಗೆ ಇಲಾಖೆ (KSRTC / BMTC / NWKRTC / KKRTC) ಮೂಲಕ ಜಾರಿಗೊಳಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ.
ಪ್ರಯೋಜನ: ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದೊಳಗಿನ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ, ಹವಾನಿಯಂತ್ರಿತವಲ್ಲದ (ನಾನ್-ಎಸಿ) ಸರ್ಕಾರಿ ಬಸ್‌ಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಮಹಿಳೆಯರು, ಹೆಣ್ಣುಮಕ್ಕಳು ಮತ್ತು ತೃತೀಯ ಲಿಂಗಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಉಚಿತ ಪ್ರಯಾಣ. ದಾಖಲೆಗಾಗಿ ಶೂನ್ಯ-ದರದ ಟಿಕೆಟ್ ನೀಡಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ.
ಅರ್ಹತೆ:
- ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ನಿವಾಸಿಗಳಾದ ಮಹಿಳೆಯರು, ಹೆಣ್ಣುಮಕ್ಕಳು ಮತ್ತು ತೃತೀಯ ಲಿಂಗಿಗಳು.
- ರಾಜ್ಯ ಆರ್‌ಟಿಸಿಗಳ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ / ನಾನ್-ಎಸಿ ಬಸ್‌ಗಳಿಗೆ ಅನ್ವಯಿಸುತ್ತದೆ.
- ಎಸಿ / ಐಷಾರಾಮಿ / ವಜ್ರ / ಐರಾವತ ಸೇವೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಅನ್ವಯಿಸುವುದಿಲ್ಲ (ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ ದರ).
ಬಳಸುವ ವಿಧಾನ: ಆನ್‌ಲೈನ್ ಅರ್ಜಿ ಅಗತ್ಯವಿಲ್ಲ. ಯಾವುದೇ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಗುರುತಿನ ಪುರಾವೆ (ಆಧಾರ್ / ಮತದಾರ ಗುರುತಿನ ಚೀಟಿ) ಅಥವಾ ಶಕ್ತಿ ಸ್ಮಾರ್ಟ್ ಕಾರ್ಡ್ ಇದ್ದಲ್ಲಿ ಅದನ್ನು ಒಯ್ಯಿರಿ, ಅರ್ಹ ನಾನ್-ಎಸಿ ಸರ್ಕಾರಿ ಬಸ್ ಹತ್ತಿ, ಕಂಡಕ್ಟರ್‌ನಿಂದ ಶೂನ್ಯ-ದರದ ಟಿಕೆಟ್ ಪಡೆಯಿರಿ.
Frequently Asked Questions
Official Links & Helpline
As reported, information about the Shakti scheme and the state road transport corporations is available through the official Karnataka government portal at karnataka.gov.in and the respective RTC websites. Portal addresses and helpline numbers can change, so please confirm the current official links and any helpline details on the official Karnataka government portal.