Free Bus Ride in Karnataka Empowering Women and Uniting Families

Impacts Include Women’s Healthcare and Access to Public Spaces

Newsreel Asia Insight #235
May 28, 2024

In Karnataka, a free bus ride program for women is not only improving access to healthcare and enabling stronger family connections but also overcoming longstanding hurdles that have restricted women’s freedom to travel, according to a new study.

The Shakti scheme—aptly named for its empowering effects—has significantly reduced the cost and complexity of travel, allowing women to more freely engage in healthcare, leisure and familial activities, according to the study by the JustJobs Network and the Fiscal Policy Institute, which captured responses from 786 women across the state, as reported by The Times of India.

Prior to the scheme, many women were deterred from traveling due to high costs, limited access to reliable transport and safety concerns, particularly in less urbanised areas. Now, with the advent of free rides, women are saving an average of 1,326 rupees per month in cities like Bengaluru – money that can be redirected towards other essential family needs.

This financial relief is coupled with increased autonomy, enabling women to confidently manage both daily chores and spontaneous outings without the burden of transportation expenses.

Despite these advancements, the journey is not without its bumps. Women still face challenges such as discourteous behaviour from male passengers and the discomfort of overcrowded buses. Yet, this has not stifled their resolve; many are now diversifying their commuting habits, increasingly turning to trains and metros, which have seen ridership increases of 3.18% and 1.28% respectively.

“While there are studies that draw a correlation between the presence of women in public spaces and its impact on the workforce, it’s important to look at these schemes beyond their contribution to GDP or employment generation,” Rosa Abraham, Assistant Professor at the Centre for Sustainable Employment, Azim Premji University, told The Indian Express, for a feature, titled “‘Women are travelling like they are possessed… Where are they going?’”

Abraham explained, “What schemes such as Shakti do is that they help women claim public spaces that are still largely gendered. A lot of leisure for women is still in private settings; these schemes take it into public settings.”

Societal norms in India prioritise male presence and visibility in public spaces. From marketplaces to parks, the dynamics within these areas subtly, yet powerfully, shape who feels welcome and safe. Women navigating these spaces frequently encounter barriers—ranging from overt harassment to the more insidious form of surveillance and judgment of their behaviours, attire and purposes in these areas. This gendering not only limits women’s access and comfort but also reinforces traditional roles that confine their public and private lives.

The scheme’s benefits also resonate deeply within marginalised communities, with the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Scheduled Castes (SC) reaping substantial rewards.

The Shakti scheme was launched as one of the “five guarantees” by the Congress government in mid-2023.