Bengaluru: Karnataka Government to Simplify Shakti Scheme with Smart Cards
The government plans to introduce smart cards for women beneficiaries to ease free bus travel. This step aims to reduce delays, disputes, and improve ticket management during peak hours.
- Karnataka government to issue smart cards for Shakti scheme beneficiaries.
- Aims to reduce delays caused by manual ID verification during bus travel.
- Smart cards will help conductors manage zero-fare tickets efficiently.
Bengaluru: In an effort to simplify the Shakti scheme that provides free bus travel for women, the Karnataka government is set to issue smart cards to eligible beneficiaries.
The Shakti scheme is exclusively for women residents of Karnataka, requiring them to present valid local ID proof. However, the verification process has led to delays, with conductors needing to manually check documents before issuing zero-fare tickets. This has caused significant slowdowns during peak hours and triggered complaints from both passengers and conductors.
Additionally, there have been instances of non-resident women trying to take advantage of the scheme, leading to disputes between passengers and conductors. To address these challenges, the government plans to roll out smart cards that will make verification faster and more efficient.
Conductors will be required to issue tickets to all passengers before they board, but the current manual ID checks often cause buses to halt for several minutes during busy hours. The smart card system is expected to reduce this delay and streamline operations by providing a clear record of eligible beneficiaries.
Government sources indicate that the distribution of smart cards will also help maintain an accurate database of users, making it easier to monitor and manage the scheme effectively.
Background on the Shakti Scheme
The Congress-led government launched the Shakti Scheme on June 11, 2023, enabling women to travel free on government buses.
As of December 2024, around 356 crore trips have been made by women, with the scheme covering ₹8,598 crore in ticket fares.
According to Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, the scheme has seen huge success, increasing passenger counts across KSRTC, KKRTC, NWKRTC, and BMTC buses.
Issues and Smart Card Solution
- Currently, conductors must verify ID cards before issuing zero-fare tickets.
- Verification takes time and causes delays, especially during busy hours.
- Smart cards will eliminate the need for manual ID verification, making the process faster and more efficient.
- Sources suggest that distributing smart cards will also provide a clear picture of total beneficiaries, helping in better management of the scheme.