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The Comprehensive Region Urban Transport (CRUT) has announced free travel for women passengers on Ama Buses on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan on Thursday. The initiative aims to make public transport more affordable and convenient for women travelling across major cities in Odisha.
Odisha's Raksha Bandhan Special Buses
The decision was taken following directions from Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra. The free travel facility will be available on all Ama Buses operating in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Berhampur and Keonjhar.
How will these Raksha Bandhan Special Buses Benefit Women Passengers?
According to CRUT, the initiative is expected to benefit more than one lakh women passengers in a single day. The agency said the scheme's main purpose is to provide women with safe, convenient and affordable public transport. It is also expected to support women's social and economic mobility by allowing them to travel more freely and confidently.
CRUT said several measures have been introduced to make Ama Bus services safer and more dependable. These include GPS-based tracking systems that allow buses to be monitored, CCTV cameras for security, trained bus staff, and passenger assistance systems. These facilities are intended to improve the overall travel experience and provide greater safety to women passengers.
CRUT Managing Director Sadique Alam said the free travel initiative reflects the organisation's continued commitment to ensuring safe, affordable and dignified mobility for women. He added that the facility would help women travel without worrying about the cost of bus fares on Raksha Bandhan.
Women passengers who wish to use the free travel facility will have to collect a zero ticket before boarding or during their journey. The zero ticket will allow them to travel without paying the regular bus fare.