LUCKNOW: The state of Uttar Pradesh has decided to make bus travel for women above 60 years old free. At a ceremony held here on Wednesday to officially launch 150 new diesel buses for the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC), Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made this announcement.
One of the pledges made by the BJP in its manifesto before the 2022 Assembly elections was to offer older women citizens free bus transportation. On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, Yogi also declared free bus trips for all women in the state for a period of 48 hours. He stated that from midnight on August 10 to midnight on August 12 midnight, women can ride government buses for free, according to the NIE.
Later taking to Twitter, the CM posted: "On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan in Uttar Pradesh, all mothers, sisters and daughters will be provided free travel facility for the next 48 hours in government buses from 12 midnight today (August 10) to midnight of August 12." "The service will help the sisters and mothers to travel in a safe environment to reach their destination to celebrate Raksha Bandhan."
He called for bus stations to be provided with dorm rooms, eateries, and clean restrooms, arguing that if airports can be built with "world-class" amenities, why can't bus terminals?
He recalled how, during the epidemic, the transportation division's buses transported migratory employees returning to their destinations from various locations across the nation. "It was the largest exercise to ferry passengers for free after the Kumbh Mela of 2019," he added.
In order to improve the passengers' travel experience, he emphasised the necessity to phase out outdated buses.
Yogi requested that the transportation agency ensure a yearly health report of the drivers while expressing alarm over the escalating accident rate. "The biggest concern is deaths caused by road mishaps. I'm saddened to say that the number of deaths in road accidents is over 20,000 a year. We need to take measures to reduce it," he said.
He requested that the transport minister connect ITIs and State Transport Corporation workshops so that young people can gain training and skills.