Lucknow, Aug 25 (PTI) Women aged 60 years and above will be eligible for lifelong free travel on all general Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) buses, with the state Cabinet approving the proposal on Tuesday.
Briefing reporters, Transport Minister Daya Shankar Singh said more than one crore women are expected to benefit from the decision. Eligible women can avail themselves of the facility by showing their Aadhaar or Voter ID cards, he said.
The proposal was approved at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
According to a state government statement, the decision is part of its “Sashakt Nari” (Empowered Woman) pledge under the ‘Lok Kalyan Sankalp-2022’ and is aimed at providing financial relief and greater freedom and convenience in commuting to elderly women.
Around 88,438 women are expected to avail themselves of the facility daily, the statement said. The scheme will entail an additional monthly expenditure of Rs 22.55 crore for the government.
To implement the scheme, UPSRTC will provide special smart cards to women aged 60 and above to facilitate identification and streamline the free travel process, it said.
The Cabinet also approved the procurement of 250 new air-conditioned electric buses during 2026-27 to strengthen the UPSRTC fleet, with the government making a provision of Rs 400 crore for the purpose.
Of the 250 buses, 100 will have a seating capacity of 50 passengers and 150 will have a capacity of 41 passengers. The total procurement cost is estimated at Rs 425.50 crore, with UPSRTC bearing the remaining Rs 25.50 crore from its own resources.
The government said expanding the electric bus fleet would help align public transport services operating between Uttar Pradesh and Delhi with air pollution control norms in the National Capital Region.
According to the statement, the Commission for Air Quality Management has directed that only CNG, electric and BS-6 vehicles will be permitted to enter Delhi from November 1, 2026.
The new buses are also expected to improve connectivity to major religious and tourist destinations and generate employment for drivers, conductors and technical maintenance personnel, besides benefiting businesses such as roadside eateries and restaurants, it said. PTI NAV MDO MDO
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