Enjoy Free Bus Travel Across Uttar Pradesh on Rakshabandhan: A Special Treat for Women

Every year, the festival of Rakshabandhan brings families and communities together to celebrate the special bond between brothers and sisters. This festive spirit is further enhanced in Uttar Pradesh through a unique initiative that allows women to travel free of cost on government-operated buses across the state. Continuing a tradition that began several years ago, this thoughtful gesture aims to provide safe and convenient travel for women during the festival days. Let’s explore all the details about this popular free bus travel scheme and how it benefits thousands of women every year.

Free Bus Travel for Women: A Time-Honored Tradition

The Uttar Pradesh government has been offering free bus rides to women passengers on Rakshabandhan as part of a larger goal to promote women’s safety and economic empowerment. This service is available for multiple days surrounding the festival—specifically on August 8th, 9th, and 10th. During this period, women can comfortably use all UPSRTC buses across the state without having to buy a ticket.

Since its launch, this initiative has seen huge popularity and has grown year after year. Despite challenges such as the recent global pandemic, the scheme remained active, ensuring uninterrupted service for women who rely on public transport. The gesture symbolizes the government’s commitment to gifting safe and free travel to women, acknowledging their significant contribution to society.

Impressive Impact and Participation Over the Years

Over the past several years, millions of women have taken advantage of this scheme. Cumulatively, more than 1.23 crore women have traveled free on state buses during the festive days of Rakshabandhan. If tickets had been sold, the total fare would have been over 100 crore rupees—a substantial amount that the government covers through its budget allocations.

Each year has seen increasing participation:

• In the initial year, over 11 lakh women enjoyed free transport.
  
• Participation steadily increased year on year, with a minor dip in 2020 due to the pandemic.
  
• Recent years have witnessed record numbers, with nearly 30 lakh women availing themselves of the free rides in one year.
  
• Even in 2024, close to 20 lakh women traveled free, indicating the continued popularity and importance of this initiative.
  

The availability of free bus travel extends not only to intercity routes but also covers city buses, particularly in larger urban centers like Lucknow, where tens of thousands of women benefit annually.

Women’s Empowerment and Safety Measures in Public Transport

This free travel scheme is just one aspect of the state government’s efforts to promote women’s empowerment and safety in public transportation. Several complementary measures are making public transit more inclusive and secure for women:

• The recruitment and training of female drivers have begun, with over two dozen women already involved and many more in training.
  
• The process of hiring around 5,000 women conductors is underway to increase female representation in operational roles within UPSRTC.
  
• Female employees in the transport sector receive childcare leave, supporting working mothers.
  
• Dedicated mother-child care rooms have been established at key bus stations to provide comfort and convenience.
  
• As part of safety enhancements, panic buttons have been installed on several buses under schemes focusing on women’s security.
  
• Special women-only buses, known as Pink Buses, operate exclusively to provide safe travel options.
  
• Lucknow has introduced its first double-decker city bus offering free tours for women every Saturday, further encouraging women’s participation in public life and travel.
  

A Festival of Safety and Inclusivity

The free bus travel service during Rakshabandhan is more than just a festive offering; it represents a larger vision of inclusivity, empowerment, and safety for women across Uttar Pradesh. By providing free and secure transportation, the government is ensuring that women can celebrate the festival with greater ease, whether by visiting relatives, attending social gatherings, or simply commuting.

This practice strengthens the cultural celebration of sibling bonds by underscoring the commitment to women’s welfare in practical and meaningful ways. It also encourages greater use of public transport, promoting affordability, accessibility, and sustainability in mobility solutions for women.

Plan Your Travel This Rakshabandhan

If you are a woman planning to travel during Rakshabandhan within Uttar Pradesh, make sure to take advantage of the free bus travel facility spanning three days. With over 13,000 buses participating across the state, it’s convenient to find a route that suits your needs. Whether it’s city bus travel or intercity trips, this scheme offers a hassle-free opportunity to travel safe and comfortably without worrying about ticket costs.

This initiative showcases the ongoing dedication to improving women’s experiences in public transportation while celebrating an important cultural festival. It is a reminder that government programs can combine tradition with modern needs to create positive change.