A lot of people have been asking why only women deserve free public transport and not men after the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and other state-run bus corporations in Karnataka started offering free bus travel to women under the Shakti scheme.
A man named Kiran Kumar also asked this question after travelling from Bengaluru to Mysuru on a KSRTC bus. His ticket cost Rs 210, but he noticed that nearly 30 out of the 50 passengers were women travelling for free.
“I took an early morning bus to Mysuru, from Bengaluru. ₹210 fare. Comfortable KSRTC bus and a world-class highway for fast travel,” he wrote.
He went on to raise questions about whether this is fair, because even women, who seemingly worked well-paying jobs, could avail the benefits from the Shakti scheme. Can we call our society “equal” when men are exempted from such schemes, he asked.
“Nearly 30 of the 50 passengers were women. Just show Aadhar and travel free. Is this fair? Is it equality? 20 men are paying for the entire bus. Is that fair? Saw an old man struggling to find notes to pay, while a well off young woman on video call next to him, travels free. Is that fair? If the state is having so much surplus income, why not make it free for these 20 men also? Universal free bus service like airport shuttle service. All over the world, subsidy and welfare is given to those who can’t afford. Here, we have women from two rich cities like Bengaluru and Mysuru, traveling free just because it is available. Is it sustainable? Couldn’t the same freebie money be used for garbage clearance, pothole fixing in cities, providing water to farmers?”
Have a look at his post here:
I took an early morning bus to Mysuru, from Bengaluru. ₹210 fare. Comfortable KSRTC bus and a world class highway for fast travel.
But I got a few thoughts.
1) Nearly 30 of the 50 passengers were women. Just show Aadhar and travel free. Is this fair? Is it equality?
2) 20… pic.twitter.com/2TfkzF88IA— Kiran Kumar S (@KiranKS) January 8, 2025
His post divided people on X. While some agreed to what he had to say, others supported the Shakti scheme and free travel for women. Have a look:
Agree. Or make it 50% for all.
This free travel for women only has made it harder for regular commuters going to school, college and work. Buses are overfull
— Meghna Girish 🇮🇳 (@megirish2001) January 8, 2025
Freebies just don’t make sense! This will increase inflation, and the less privileged will suffer more!
— Memes Peddler (@memespeddler247) January 8, 2025
I have travelled in BMTC 2-3 times after the freebie announcement and I have to say most of the women who travel in the bus are daily wage workers or blue coloured employees. I don’t endorse freebies normally but seeing that felt good
— Kashaa (@myheartcantstop) January 8, 2025
I have travelled in BMTC 2-3 times after the freebie announcement and I have to say most of the women who travel in the bus are daily wage workers or blue coloured employees. I don’t endorse freebies normally but seeing that felt good
— Kashaa (@myheartcantstop) January 8, 2025
@KiranKS we have so much diversity that any rule cannot be fair to all at any point in time. Nothing stops women who are capable to pay, but to set up a complex system to decide who should pay and who shouldn’t will not work. There is still so much disparity in workforce.
— Shrikant Patil (@SocialShri) January 8, 2025
It’s only fair sir because the per capita income of women in india is lower than men 🙂 equal opportunities don’t exist yet and so should the pricing be different.
— Samay Salunke (@samaysalunke) January 8, 2025
Its not freebies. Government is paying back to the society in return to taxes people give. If you do not understand this concept, one cannot understand the principle of democratic government and governance
— Raghothama Hoba ರಘೋತ್ತಮ ಹೊ.ಬ (@raghothamahoba) January 8, 2025
Free public transport for women empowers half the population. Schemes like this help women to step out of their homes, safely travel and work jobs without having to think about the money that would be lost on travel expenses. This scheme allows social and financial mobility for women, especially those in rural and low-income households.
Women in India often earn less than men and are more likely to drop out of the workforce due to the cost of commuting. This initiative helps bridge that gap and allows women to access education, healthcare, and jobs without added stress on their families.
What do you think?