Transforming Mobility into Empowerment, Karnataka’s Bold Scheme Redefines Women’s Role in Public Spaces
Bengaluru: Karnataka’s Shakti Guarantee Scheme, which provides free bus travel to women, is on the brink of achieving a historic landmark—500 crore rides since its launch in June 2023. By July 14 or 15, 2025, the scheme is expected to cross this transformative threshold, highlighting both the depth of demand and the impact it has had on women’s autonomy, mobility, and presence in public life.
"While no one would notice us before, now, suddenly, we are visible," remarked one woman commuter, summarising the deeper meaning of this policy shift.
Backed by field studies, notably by Indus Action and Lokniti-CSDS, Shakti is more than a welfare program; it’s a social movement in motion. The study finds that women from both formal and informal sectors widely use and value this benefit, not just for cost savings but as a tool for access to work, education, healthcare, social life, and civic participation.
Empowerment on Wheels: Key Findings from the Field
The impact of Shakti is multi-layered. Women across Karnataka—from Kalaburgi to Bengaluru, Tumakuru to Bagalkote—report benefits that go beyond economic utility:
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Increased access to education: Young women can now travel to far-off colleges without relocating.
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Greater employment flexibility: Entrepreneurs and daily wage workers commute without financial stress.
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Reinforced family ties: Elderly women visit children and grandchildren; festivals and family outings have become common.
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Strengthened social circles: Women plan group travels for shopping, temple visits, or leisure—often with their self-help groups or neighbours.
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Enhanced political participation: Free travel has enabled women to attend union meetings, protests, and conferences, increasing their civic presence.
Challenges and Criticisms: The Other Side of Shakti
Despite its overwhelming success, Shakti is not without growing pains:
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Overcrowded buses and seat scarcity: While women’s ridership has surged past 400 crore, the scheme has inadvertently impacted men’s commuting experience.
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In response, state Road Transport Corporations (RTCs) have issued orders to reserve half of the bus seats for men, attempting a delicate balance.
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Gender-based backlash: Some men express resentment, accusing women of “roaming unnecessarily.” Experts link such reactions to deep-rooted sexism and FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).
Numbers That Tell the Story
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Before Shakti: 35-40% women, 60-65% men ridership
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After Shakti: 63% women, 37% men
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Karnataka bus fleet: Plateaued over the past decade, despite a population rise of 1.2 crore
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Demand has now led the state to seek Union Government funding for 14,000+ buses—potentially the biggest positive externality of the scheme
Philosophical and Policy Perspective: Rawls Revisited
The scheme also invites reflection through the lens of John Rawls’s Theory of Justice. Women, the majority of whom have low or no personal mobility, now have the freedom to travel independently, a fundamental public good that was previously denied.
With only 12.5% of driving licences issued to women in Karnataka (as of 2022-23), the scheme levels the playing field for the remaining 90% who rely on public or male-sponsored transportation.
Shakti's True Legacy: Visibility, Voice, and Validation
Shakti has turned mobility into visibility. It has awakened the idea that women’s presence in public spaces is not a luxury but a right. For the first time, ordinary women feel seen, valued, and empowered. They now travel alone, travel far, travel together—and for themselves.
“Friendship is starved without time spent together. Shakti provides that space.”
“It’s not just about buses—it’s about belonging.”
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