Free Bus Travel for Women in Rajasthan: What’s Changing and Why It Matters
For International Women’s Day 2025, Rajasthan is making headlines by offering free travel to all women on its government-run roadways buses, but this isn’t just a feel-good gesture—it’s a statement on women’s rights, mobility, and the state’s vision for empowerment. Starting midnight on March 8, women can hop aboard any regular or express Rajasthan Roadways bus and pay nothing for their ride, so long as the trip stays within state lines and the bus isn’t air-conditioned or a premium Volvo coach. As soon as the calendar flips to March 9, the fares return to normal.
This initiative stands out because it doesn’t include AC or Volvo buses, focusing instead on the everyday transport most women use. Buses shuttling between states are also included, but the free ride stops at the Rajasthan border—if you’re crossing into Haryana, Gujarat, or any neighbor, you’ll need to buy a regular ticket from that point on. That said, this could save plenty for those commuting within Rajasthan’s vast rural and urban network.
Who made this happen? Rajasthan Roadways’ top officials, with chairman Shubhra Singh steering the plan and managing director Purushottam Sharma making sure the message reached everyone. The government expects up to 850,000 women will benefit from a single day’s free travel, and they’re not shying away from the price tag—roughly 75 million rupees will be set aside from the state’s coffers to cover these rides.
It’s not just a one-off. Jyoti Chauhan, executive director of Rajasthan Roadways, notes that these moves directly foster women empowerment and allow women—especially those in distant villages or small towns—freedom that’s often clipped by cost or safety worries. This isn’t some abstract claim. For many women in Rajasthan, even a minimal bus fare can add up, slashing family budgets or keeping them home. A short, free bus ride might be the difference in going to a job interview, visiting a government office, or simply seeing family. It’s about mobility—and mobility is independence.
Discounts That Go the Extra Mile
The state’s not stopping at a single-day gesture either. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has upped the ante by bumping the standard fare discount from 30% to 50% for women using regular state buses, starting April 1. This isn’t just about International Women’s Day. It’s a financial break that will last throughout the year, giving women more breathing room in their daily commutes, work journeys, or family obligations.
People working with the Rajasthan government say the 50% discount could spur a steady rise in women’s bus travel—more girls staying in school, more women reaching medical care, and a general ripple of freedom. For many, it signals a government willing to put its money where its mouth is on gender equality, not just with policies but with real-world solutions that touch lives daily. It’s a move that asks: What if everyday public transport wasn’t another hurdle for women, but a bridge to getting wherever they want to go?
