Bengaluru: In a major relief for students, the Karnataka government has announced free bus passes for students across the state, extending the benefit beyond female students to include male students as well.
Transport Minister Bairati Suresh said the government has finalized guidelines for the scheme and they will be released shortly.
The minister said students will be able to apply for free bus passes through Karnataka One and Bangalore One centres in the coming days. Applications will be scrutinized before passes are issued.
He also announced that students who have already purchased bus passes by paying the required fee will be eligible for a refund. Details of the refund process will be included in the guidelines.
According to Suresh, the initiative fulfills a commitment made by Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar to reduce the financial burden on students and ensure that no child is deprived of education due to economic constraints.
“Every student, irrespective of economic background, should be able to continue education without worrying about transportation costs,” the minister said.
The scheme marks the first time that free bus passes are being extended to all eligible students in the state, regardless of gender. The Transport Department is expected to begin the application and distribution process soon after the official guidelines are issued.
Students have been advised to keep the required documents ready and submit their applications at the designated service centres once registrations open.
