Major decision by the UP government: These women will not have to pay bus fares.

Women aged above 60 in Uttar Pradesh are set to receive a major public transport benefit, with the state Cabinet clearing a proposal that will allow eligible senior women to travel without paying fares on state-run roadways buses. The decision comes just ahead of Raksha Bandhan and is expected to provide long-term financial relief to a large number of elderly passengers who depend on buses for regular travel.

The proposal was among 24 matters approved at a meeting of the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. According to the details announced after the meeting, eligible women will be able to use buses operated by the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation without purchasing a regular travel ticket.

The state government is introducing the benefit under the Lokmata Ahilyabai Matrushakti Yojana. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is expected to formally launch the initiative on Wednesday.

Who Will Qualify for the Free Bus Travel Facility?

The most important eligibility requirement is age. Women who are above 60 years will be covered under the approved scheme.

Once the facility becomes operational, qualifying passengers will not have to pay the usual fare while travelling on buses covered by the initiative.

However, passengers will need to establish that they meet the age requirement. Aadhaar and voter identity cards have been identified as acceptable documents that women can show to confirm their age while travelling.

This means eligible passengers should keep a valid age-verification document with them when using the free travel facility.

Benefit Planned as a Lifetime Travel Facility

Uttar Pradesh Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh said the Cabinet has approved the proposal to provide free bus journeys to women above 60 years of age.

The initiative has been approved under the Lokmata Ahilyabai Matrushakti Yojana and is intended to provide eligible senior women with lifetime fare-free travel on buses operated by the state's transport corporation.

The announcement is significant because it turns the benefit into a continuing facility rather than restricting it to a particular festival or a limited number of days.

For senior citizens who frequently use public transport for medical visits, family commitments, religious trips or other routine requirements, eliminating bus fares could reduce recurring travel expenses.

How Many Women Could Receive the Benefit?

The scheme could cover a substantial number of women across Uttar Pradesh.

Based on figures linked to the 2011 Census, around 81 lakh women could come under the free-travel provision. Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh, meanwhile, indicated that the number of beneficiaries could now exceed one crore.

The difference reflects the fact that the Census data is considerably older, while the state's population has increased over the years.

The final number of beneficiaries will depend on current eligibility and implementation of the programme.

Aadhaar and Voter ID Can Be Used for Verification

Passengers seeking the concession will have to demonstrate that they satisfy the age condition.

According to the information shared about the scheme, eligible women can use their Aadhaar card or voter ID card as proof.

The document requirement is important because the benefit is specifically linked to age. Women planning to use the facility should therefore carry one of the accepted identity documents to avoid difficulties during their journey.

Further operational details may become clearer as the government formally rolls out the scheme.

Decision Fulfils an Earlier Election Commitment

The free-travel proposal also has a political background. The Bharatiya Janata Party had promised free bus travel for women aged 60 and above during the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election campaign.

With Cabinet approval now secured, the state government is moving towards implementing that commitment.

The timing of the announcement, shortly before Raksha Bandhan, has also given the decision additional significance, as the festival typically sees a sharp increase in the number of women travelling to meet their families.

Separate Free Bus Facility Planned Around Raksha Bandhan

Along with the permanent benefit for senior women, Uttar Pradesh is also preparing to provide fare-free roadways travel around Raksha Bandhan.

As per the announced arrangement, women will be able to use Uttar Pradesh transport corporation buses free of cost during the specified festival period. The free-travel window is scheduled to run from 6:00 am on August 27 until midnight on August 29.

This festival-specific arrangement is separate from the newly approved lifetime concession for women above 60.

The distinction is important for passengers: the Raksha Bandhan facility provides temporary free travel during the notified period, while the new Cabinet-approved scheme is intended to create an ongoing benefit for eligible senior women.

Uttar Pradesh to Expand Its Electric Bus Fleet

The Cabinet meeting also brought another significant decision related to public transportation.

The Transport Department has received approval to purchase 250 electric buses. The proposed fleet will include buses with seating capacities of 42 and 52 passengers.

According to the information shared following the Cabinet decision, the purchase is expected to involve an expenditure of around ₹425 crore.

Adding electric buses could help the state expand its public transport network while gradually increasing the use of cleaner vehicles.

What Should Eligible Women Keep in Mind?

For women above 60, the most important development is that the Cabinet has now approved a long-term free roadways travel facility. Aadhaar or voter ID will serve as proof for verifying the passenger's age.

The formal launch and subsequent implementation will determine how the benefit operates at bus stations and during journeys.

With a potentially large beneficiary base, the initiative could become one of Uttar Pradesh's significant transport-related welfare measures for senior women. Combined with the special Raksha Bandhan travel arrangement and the planned addition of electric buses, the latest Cabinet decisions bring several changes to the state's public transportation system.