Free travel for women in govt buses, No APL, BPL categorization: Min Ramalinga Reddy

PTI, May 30, 2023, 2:45 PM IST

Transport Minister, Ramalinga Reddy, announced that women will be able to travel free of cost on government buses throughout the state.

Addressing the media after a meeting with officials at the KSRTC office in Shantinagar, the minister clarified that there is no Above Poverty Line (APL) or Below Poverty Line (BPL) categorization for availing this benefit.

Reddy said, “The party’s manifesto does not make any differentiation based on APL or BPL status. Women in Karnataka will now be able to travel for free on government-run buses across the state. We will be submitting a report to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who will make the final decision regarding the implementation of this policy.”

In the meeting at the KSRTC office in Shantinagar, it was estimated that an annual expenditure of Rs 3,200 crore will be required for the successful execution of this initiative.

The officials present at the meeting said, “We have requested the government to consider providing subsidies, considering the financial challenges faced by the four transport department corporations, which have been experiencing losses.”