Karnataka govt's Shakti scheme creates world record for most women travelled in public transport
Bengaluru, Aug 18 (PTI): Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Monday said the state's Shakti Yojana guarantee scheme has set a world record for the largest number of women passengers travelling on public transport.
“Between June 11, 2023 and July 20, 500 crore women passengers travelled on ticketed journeys. This feat has entered the Golden Book of World Records,” said the minister.
US-based Golden Book of World Record (GBWR) is an Exclusive International Book of Records that aims to give a platform to people or organisations to have their name in the “golden pages of history”.
The minister thanked Karnataka State Regional Transport Corporation (KSRTC), Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), North West Karnataka Road Transport and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporations for the historic achievement.
“The hard work, dedication and honest service of all the staff is commendable. The cooperation of the labour leaders cannot be forgotten as well,” he added.
The Shakti Yojana Guarantee Scheme was implemented immediately after he assumed office as the transport minister for the second time, he said.
“Five to six years prior to that, no new buses were added to the transport corporations, which were debt ridden. Given that, the success now, a result of collective work, has given me immense pleasure,” said Reddy.
According to him, in the two years of Shakti Yojana, 5,800 new buses were added to the transport corporations, as well as 10,000 new recruitments were made. He also said the Karnataka government has pumped in Rs 2,000 crore to pay off loans.
Reddy also cited ‘Beyond Free Rides’ Sustainable Mobility Network’s study conducted on free bus travel for women in cities and said the number of female employees has increased by 23 per cent in Bengaluru and 21 per cent in Hubli-Dharwad due to Shakti Yojana.
The minister said this has led to an increase in the per capita income of the state.
“The fact that several other states in the country are now implementing similar schemes -- under different names and with suitable adaptations -- stands as a testament to the success of our government’s Shakti Scheme,” he added.
Meanwhile, taking to 'X', Chief Minister Siddarmaiah said the credit for the achievement should go to the "mothers and sisters of Karnataka", who travel daily for purposes such as employment, education and medical treatment.
"From the day it was launched, Shakti Yojana, is a bold step towards women's empowerment," he added.
ಶಕ್ತಿ ಯೋಜನೆ ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಠಿತ ವಿಶ್ವ ದಾಖಲೆಗೆ ಸೇರ್ಪಡೆ Golden Book of World Recordsನಲ್ಲಿ ದಾಖಲು- ಅತೀವ ಸಂತಸ ಮತ್ತು ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಯ ಕ್ಷಣ.
— Ramalinga Reddy (@RLR_BTM) August 18, 2025
ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಮಹತ್ವಾಕಾಂಕ್ಷೆ ಯೋಜನೆ ಹಾಗೂ ಮಹಿಳಾ ಸಬಲೀಕರಣದ ದಿಟ್ಟ ಯೋಜನೆಯಾದ ಶಕ್ತಿ ಯೋಜನೆಯು Golden Book of World Records ನಲ್ಲಿ ಅತಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಮಹಿಳಾ ಪ್ರಯಾಣಿಕರು ಪ್ರಯಾಣಿಸಿರುವ… pic.twitter.com/HMqN2npqpk
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KSRTC to run 1000 special services to clear Christmas rush
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation will operate 1000 additional special services in view of the Christmas festival.
In addition to the existing schedule, the special services will run on 19.12.2025, 20.12.2025 and 24.12.2025. Further, special buses will be operated from various places of intra & Interstate places to Bengaluru on 26.12.2025 & 28.12.2025.
Special buses will be exclusively operated from Bengaluru Kempegowda Bus Station to Dharmastala, Kukkesubramanya, Shivamogga, Hassan, Mangaluru, Kundapura, Shringeri, Horanadu, Davangere, Hubbali, Dharwad, Belagavi, Vijayapura, Gokarna, Sirsi, Karwar, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Ballari, Koppala, Yadgir, Bidar, Tirupathi, Vijayawada, Hyderabad and other places.
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Special buses from Mysuru Road Bus Station will be exclusively operated towards Mysuru, Hunsur, Piriyapatna, Virajpet, Kushalanagar, Madikeri.
The corporation has also announced a discount of 5 per cent on the fare if four or more passengers book tickets under a single reservation. A discount of 10 per cent will be extended on return journey tickets if onward and return tickets are booked simultaneously.
In addition to the above, special buses will be operated from all Taluk/District Bus Stands in the jurisdiction of KSRTC based on the traffic needs.
