The government of Karnataka is preparing to introduce smart cards for beneficiaries of its Shakti scheme, which allows women to travel for free on non-premium state-run buses. This initiative will be executed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, ensuring that women receive the cards at no cost while continuing to enjoy their travel benefits.
Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh announced on Monday that the framework for issuing these smart cards is nearing completion. The initiative aims to benefit over 20 million women eligible for free bus travel. During a press briefing following a meeting with senior officials from the Transport Department, Suresh revealed plans to establish a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to manage implementation and distribution of the cards.
A Transaction Advisory Committee has been appointed to finalize the smart card framework. This committee will also provide guidance on technical requirements, tendering procedures,and distribution mechanisms. Suresh indicated that committee is expected to deliver its report by the end of the month, after which the government will initiate the tender process for the large-scale issuance of cards.
Under this project, the state will cover the processing costs for the smart cards issued to women, while the selected private partner will offer technical support and manage operational services. The transport corporations anticipate needing between 25 million and 30 million smart cards to accommodate both women and male passengers.
The introduction of the smart card system is expected to enhance ticketing and passenger verification across Karnataka’s state-run transport services . Suresh emphasized that this advancement will improve service delivery and facilitate better management of passenger data. Currently,women utilize Shakti scheme by presenting a valid government-issued identity card to obtain zero-fare ticket, but instances of misuse have been reported,including the use of invalid or duplicate documents .
Launched on June 11, 2023, the Shakti scheme is one of five guarantee schemes introduced by the Congress government. It has quickly become one of Karnataka’s most popular welfare initiatives,recognized by the Golden Book of World Records for achieving highest number of women beneficiaries in a public transport program .
During the recent review meeting,the Transport Department also discussed plans to increase the number of electric buses in the fleets of state’s four transport corporations. Suresh announced that over 4,000 electric buses will be procured in phases,aligning with the government’s commitment to promoting environmentally sustainable public transport .
