“The free bus service’s one-year anniversary prompts a focus on its long-term financial sustainability. While the intention is noble, the welfare scheme necessitates careful financial planning and consistent review. The summary uses the former State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) as a cautionary example of what can happen when social initiatives are implemented without economic foresight.”
It has been a year since the Jammu and Kashmir government launched its free bus service for women, a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at promoting gender-inclusive mobility across the Union Territory. Introduced in 2024 and flagged off by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, the scheme was hailed as a landmark step toward empowering women through safe and accessible public transport. Twelve months later, the initiative continues to draw both praise and scrutiny. On the one hand, it has offered thousands of working women, students, and homemakers a sense of independence and relief from daily commuting expenses. Many beneficiaries say the scheme has made travel safer and more affordable, especially for those from economically weaker sections. For a region where women’s mobility has long been constrained by limited transport options and safety concerns, the service has clearly filled a critical gap. Yet, as the free bus service completes one year, it is time to ask a few hard questions about its long-term sustainability. The intention is noble, but such welfare schemes require careful financial planning and consistent review. The State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) — once a proud symbol of public mobility in Jammu and Kashmir — stands as a reminder of what happens when social initiatives are implemented without economic foresight. Years of financial losses, caused partly by populist fare concessions and weak management, crippled the institution. That mistake must not be repeated. “Free” is an attractive political promise, but it must also be economically sound and operationally viable. A year into this initiative, the government should consider conducting an audit to assess passenger growth, operational costs, and service efficiency.
“The smart bus scheme’s success relies on more than just free fares; it needs regular, well-maintained, and monitored buses (with GPS/CCTV), enhanced safety via women conductors and marshals, and continuous reassessment. To become a model of inclusive mobility rather than a financial burden, it requires transparency, accountability, fiscal discipline, and data-driven evaluation. True empowerment must be driven by fairness, efficiency, and sustainability.”
If revenue losses are mounting, the scheme could be modified into a targeted subsidy model, benefiting low-income women, widows, and single mothers — those who need it most. Moreover, there is a compelling argument that students should have been prioritized under such a policy. Rising transportation costs remain a major hurdle for school and college-going youth, especially in rural areas. A subsidized or free student travel pass could encourage higher attendance, reduce dropouts, and serve as a lasting investment in the region’s educational future. Equally vital is the need to maintain quality and safety. Buses must run regularly, be well-maintained, and monitored through GPS and CCTV systems. Appointing women conductors and marshals could further strengthen commuters’ confidence. The one-year milestone offers an opportunity to reassess, refine, and expand. If managed with transparency and accountability, the scheme can evolve from a populist measure into a model of inclusive mobility. But without fiscal discipline and data-driven evaluation, it risks becoming another burden on public finances. Empowerment should not ride solely on free fares — it should move forward on the wheels of fairness, efficiency, and sustainability.
