🚍 What the UP Budget Announces About Free Bus Travel for Women

Kokila Chokkanathan
In the Uttar Pradesh Budget 2026–27, the state government led by Chief minister Yogi Adityanath announced a new initiative to provide free travel on UPSRTC (roadways) buses for women above a certain age.

✔ Who Benefits?

  • The scheme specifically targets **women aged 60 years and above.
  • These women will not have to pay fare when travelling on roadways buses run by the state transport corporation.
✔ Budget Provision

  • The government has set aside a token budget allocation (₹1 lakh) initially to begin the formal process of implementing this scheme.
  • The token allocation means work has officially begun on rolling out this policy, and full funds and implementation mechanisms are expected to follow soon.
✔ Why This Matters

  • This proposal aims to offer economic relief and mobility support to elderly women, especially those who are economically vulnerable or depend on road travel for medical visits, family needs, or daily activities.
  • Budget documents highlight a focus on women’s empowerment and welfare, with increased funding for women‑centric programs overall.
🧠 Context — Previous Free bus Travel Programmes in UP

While this new proposal targets older women permanently via the budget, the UP government has also run special free bus travel initiatives for women on certain occasions, particularly during Raksha Bandhan, for several years:

  • On Raksha Bandhan (e.g., Aug 8–10), women and even one companion have been given free travel on state buses and urban buses across Uttar Pradesh.
  • This seasonal initiative is seen as a gesture linked to cultural celebration and social goodwill and has been repeated multiple years.
These earlier efforts set public expectations and provided administrative experience for rolling out a permanent, budget-supported free‑fare scheme.

📌 Other Key Highlights of the UP Budget 2026–27

Alongside the free bus travel announcement for senior women, the budget also focussed on other priority areas:

1. Enhanced Women’s Welfare Support

  • Increased funding for schemes related to women’s safety, empowerment, and social support.
2. Law & Order & Safety

  • Substantial allocation to modernise policing and enhance emergency response systems like UP‑112.
3. Social Pension Increases

  • Enhanced monthly pension for elderly and destitute women to ₹1,500 per month, up from earlier amounts.
These budget allocations signal the government’s intent to strengthen social welfare alongside infrastructure and economic development.

📊 What This Means for Public Transport Users

  • If fully implemented, eligible senior women (60+) won’t pay for roadways bus travel, reducing travel expenses for a key vulnerable group.
  • Operational details such as how passes will be issued or how compensation for the transport corporation will work are yet to be fully clarified as planning progresses.
Government studies in earlier years estimated that similar free travel schemes can have significant financial impacts on transportation revenues, so adequate planning will be crucial before full implementation.

📌 In Summary

The UP Budget 2026–27 includes a new policy to exempt senior women (60+) from paying roadways bus fares, backed by initial budget provision. This follows a tradition of offering free bus travel on festive occasions and is intended to boost women’s mobility, economic support, and independence. Broader budget priorities include women’s welfare, safety, and social support initiatives alongside infrastructure and law‑and‑order investments.

 

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.

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