Diya Behl
Patna: In a festive gesture for Rakshabandhan, the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) has announced that women and girl students will travel free of charge on city buses across Patna on August 19. The initiative, which will run from 6 am to 9.30 pm, aims to celebrate the festival and encourage greater use of public transport by women.
Transport Department Minister Sheela Kumari has endorsed the measure as part of efforts to enhance women’s mobility and safety in urban areas. Transport Secretary, Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, emphasized that the free travel scheme is designed to boost women’s participation in city buses and ensure safer journeys.
The move is part of a broader strategy to accommodate women in public transport, with 65 percent of seats in all city buses already reserved for them. The BSRTC operates a fleet of 135 city buses, including 25 electric models, with the remaining vehicles running on CNG. All buses will be included in the free travel scheme on Rakshabandhan.
Patna’s city buses cover numerous routes, including numbers 111, 111A, 222, 444, 555, 666, 888, 888A, 100, 200, and 999, as well as the Patliputra bus terminal. This initiative follows a trend of increasing popularity among female passengers since the city bus service began in 2018.
Abhay Jha, BSRTC Administrator, said that the safety of female passengers is a priority, with CCTV cameras installed in buses and other measures to ensure a secure travel environment. The free service on Rakshabandhan is expected to provide additional convenience and support to women in Patna.
