LUCKNOW — The Uttar Pradesh government has announced that women aged 60 years and above will be able to travel free of charge on state-run buses, implementing a long-standing welfare commitment aimed at improving mobility and reducing transportation costs for senior citizens.
The decision, announced by the state government on Wednesday, will apply to services operated by the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC). Officials said the scheme is intended to benefit elderly women across the state by providing fare-free travel on government buses.
The initiative fulfills a promise made by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the 2022 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. The proposal had remained under consideration for several years before receiving budgetary backing in the 2026-27 state budget, paving the way for its implementation.
State authorities said the scheme is designed to ease the financial burden on senior women, many of whom rely on public transport for medical appointments, family visits and other essential travel. The government has said the measure forms part of its broader social welfare agenda for women and senior citizens.
Officials have indicated that eligible passengers will be required to provide proof of age through prescribed identification documents in accordance with implementation guidelines issued by the transport department. Additional operational details, including verification procedures and administrative arrangements, are expected to be communicated by UPSRTC as the rollout proceeds.
The announcement follows previous initiatives by the Uttar Pradesh government offering temporary free bus travel for women during festivals such as Raksha Bandhan. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had also announced plans in 2022 to introduce permanent free travel for women aged above 60, describing it as part of the government's commitment to expanding social support for elderly women.
Several Indian states have introduced or expanded subsidized or free public transport schemes for women in recent years, with governments citing improved affordability and greater mobility as key objectives. Uttar Pradesh's latest measure specifically targets senior women rather than all female passengers, distinguishing it from broader statewide schemes adopted elsewhere.
The Uttar Pradesh government said the scheme will now be implemented through the state's transport network, with operational instructions to be issued by the relevant authorities as the program comes into effect.
