While women celebrate free travel under the Shakti Yojana, men struggle for basic commuting comfort
Women are not showing humanity by vacating the seats allotted for senior citizens despite repeated requests. It is astonishing that if a man sits on a women’s seat, he is fined, but no one cares about men, even the conductor seems helpless.
Manjunath (70), A retired Revenue Department official
JV Prabhu Deva | CH News
BENGALURU
The Shakti Yojana, one of the five flagship guarantees implemented by the Karnataka government, has indeed transformed travel for women by providing free bus rides across the state. However, what has proven to be a boon for women has increasingly become a curse for men, who are finding it difficult to travel in government buses.
In Bengaluru and surrounding regions, although the BMTC bus network caters adequately to city commuters, the problem has worsened as large numbers of women now prefer State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses for longer routes. As a result, many men have been forced to rely on private buses, paying higher fares for daily travel.
The situation has also given rise to several everyday incidents highlighting the imbalance. For instance, a woman from KR Puram reportedly boarded a Kolar–Ballari bus and berated the conductor for issuing the wrong ticket, despite being preoccupied with chatting with fellow passengers. In another instance, a young woman, dressed casually, boarded an early-morning bus to visit her mother for breakfast in Sampagiramanagar, an example of how the free travel scheme is being used even for casual trips. Surveys indicate that such scenes are now routine.
Groups of women traveling together for personal errands, functions, or family ceremonies have become a common sight, further inconveniencing working men who depend on public transport. Many frustrated male passengers have begun openly criticizing the government, urging a review of the scheme.
Citizens suggest that free travel should be limited to women above 60 years of age and exclude government employees, ensuring fair access for others. The government, they say, must address these shortcomings promptly to restore balance and commuting comfort for all.
‘At least give us our seats’
Male and senior passengers often find themselves standing as women occupy seats reserved for men or elderly travellers. Although transport authorities have issued warnings and fines against such misuse, enforcement remains weak.
