CM Omar launches free bus services for women across J&K

Srinagar|April,1 : In a landmark step toward gender-inclusive mobility, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today launched the Zero-Ticket Travel Initiative, providing free bus services for women across Jammu and Kashmir.
The launch event was held from the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC).
The initiative, fulfilling a key budget announcement, ensures free travel for women in all Smart City e-buses and J&K Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) buses across the Union Territory, a government spokesman said. Before the official flag-off, the Chief Minister also inaugurated Zero-Ticket Travel for schoolgirls, underscoring the government’s commitment to accessible and safe transportation for young students.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister highlighted that this initiative is more than just a welfare measure—it is a bold step towards women’s empowerment and inclusive development. “Starting today, women across Jammu and Kashmir will travel free of cost in all Smart City and SRTC buses. This isn’t just about affordability; it’s about accessibility, safety, and creating an environment where women feel empowered to travel freely. Our vision is to make J&K a model of inclusive growth where no woman is held back due to mobility constraints,” he said. The Chief Minister also referred to his Budget Speech, in which he had announced free ridership for women in government transport, including Smart City e-buses. “During the budget, we made a special announcement for women that our RTC buses and Smart City e-buses would be free to use after 1st April. Today, we started the service with the hope that it will be easier for them to travel, whether it is for education, shopping, work or sightseeing,” Omar Abdullah said. “We hope that they will be able to travel all over Jammu and Kashmir in a safe environment,” he remarked. The scheme, which was first announced on March 7 during the Chief Minister’s Budget Speech, is part of a broader series of pro-women and pro-poor initiatives aimed at fostering social and economic empowerment.