Additionally, it announced the deployment of additional buses to facilitate travel for women. These services will remain operational until August 31, with extra staff and supervisors stationed at key bus terminals to manage the increased passenger flow.

Governor's approval on free travel

Under Lokmata Ahilya Bai Matri Shakti Yatra Yojana, Governor Anandi Ben Patel has approved free travel facility to women above 60 years of age in the ordinary buses of the Transport Corporation from August 28. Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh said that this facility will be given to the female passenger who is above 60 years of age and is a resident of Uttar Pradesh.

The Transport Minister stated that the Transport Corporation will assess the actual free travel and reimbursement amount. The Corporation will provide a compiled and verified statement of the actual expenditure and use of free travel and reimbursement to the Transport Department and the government each month. Separate instructions will be issued for issuing smart cards to beneficiaries for free travel.

As part of the Raksha Bandhan arrangement, women passengers travelling in UPSRTC buses will be eligible for free travel. The facility will also extend to one companion accompanying each woman passenger. The announcement covers buses operated by the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation. The official notice also highlighted the availability of the facility for women passengers and one accompanying person.

The move is expected to benefit women travelling between cities and towns across the state during the festive period, when public transport typically sees increased demand.