Women’s Employment in Bengaluru Rises 23% Post Shakti Scheme: Study

Speedy Summary:

• A report titled “Beyond Free Rides: A Multi-State Assessment of Women’s Bus Fare Subsidy schemes in Urban India” highlights the impact of Karnataka’s Shakti Scheme, which offers fare-free bus travel to women.
• Findings show a 23% increase in women’s employment in Bengaluru adn a 21% rise in Hubballi-Dharwad due to improved mobility.
• The study, conducted by Nikore Associates for the Enduring Mobility Network, covers over 2,500 surveys and discussions across 10 cities in Delhi, Karnataka, kerala, Maharashtra, and West Bengal.
• Approximately 27% of women under the scheme switched to buses for work or essential needs; many reported longer trips and more frequent travel.
• Minister for Transport Ramalinga Reddy stated that the scheme benefits lower-middle-income families significantly by enabling access to jobs across sectors like healthcare and retail.
• Challenges persist regarding first-and-last-mile connectivity costs and safety issues (e.g., harassment, overcrowding). Less then half of surveyed women feel safe while commuting on buses.
• Recommendations include safety infrastructure like CCTV cameras and better integration with last-mile transport systems.
• From June 2023 to July 2025: Over ₹12,881 crore worth of free trips (508 crore journeys) were facilitated for women passengers.

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