One Card, Seamless Travel — Empowering Women Across Karnataka
Published: June 2026 | Source: Transport Department, Karnataka
Background: The Shakti Scheme
On June 11, 2023, the Karnataka government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, launched the Shakti Scheme — the very first of five poll guarantees promised by the Congress party in its election manifesto. The scheme provides free bus travel to all women domiciled in Karnataka across a network of over 25,000 buses operated by four state-run transport corporations: KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC.
The scheme has since become a runaway success. By June 2025 — just two years since its launch — a staggering 474 crore tickets had been issued to women passengers, at a total expenditure of Rs 11,994.37 crore by the state government. Millions of women — students, working professionals, homemakers, and senior citizens — have benefited from this flagship initiative.
The Problem: Gaps in the Current System
Despite its enormous reach, the existing system has faced significant operational challenges:
- Identity Verification Gaps: Women are currently required to show their Aadhaar cards to conductors for every journey. This process has been prone to misuse, with reports of fake credentials or out-of-state Aadhaar cards being used to fraudulently avail the free travel benefit.
- Data Deficiency: Without a digital card system, the government has struggled to collect accurate, real-time data on ridership — including how many unique women are using the scheme, and their travel patterns.
- Financial Accountability: Errors in reimbursements to transport corporations and lack of financial transparency have been persistent concerns.
- Inconvenience for Metro Travel: Women commuting across both bus and metro networks have to carry separate tickets or cards, creating unnecessary friction for daily commuters in Bengaluru.
The Solution: Unified Shakti Smart Card
On February 12, 2026, the Karnataka Cabinet gave its official green light to the rollout of the new Shakti Smart Card — a technologically advanced, multi-functional travel card designed to resolve all the above challenges in one stroke. Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy confirmed that the cards will be issued free of cost to all eligible beneficiaries.
Key Features of the New Shakti Smart Card
1. Free Bus Travel — Faster and Smarter
The core benefit remains unchanged — free travel on all non-premium, non-AC buses of KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC. However, instead of showing an Aadhaar card, women will simply tap or swipe the Shakti Smart Card on the conductor’s Electronic Ticketing Machine (ETM). A ticket will be generated instantly, speeding up boarding and eliminating scope for fraud.
2. Namma Metro Integration (NCMC)
This is the most transformative feature of the new card. The Shakti Smart Card will function as a National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) — the same technology standard used by metro systems, trains, and buses across India. Women can recharge the card with money and use it to enter Namma Metro stations via tap-and-go, eliminating the need to purchase a separate token or metro card. While metro travel is not free under the scheme, the integration creates a seamless, unified transit experience.
3. Aadhaar-Linked Identity Verification
Each card will be linked to the beneficiary’s Aadhaar number and photograph, ensuring that only genuine Karnataka residents avail the benefit. The Aadhaar-based linkage will prevent misuse by out-of-state residents and eliminate fraudulent use of fake credentials.
4. Real-Time Data & Financial Transparency
Every swipe of the card will be recorded digitally, enabling the government to gather real-time, accurate ridership data. This will significantly improve financial accountability in reimbursements to transport corporations and help the government plan routes and fleet deployment more efficiently.
Eligibility & How to Apply
Who is eligible?
- All women and transgender persons who are residents of Karnataka (Aadhaar with a Karnataka address)
- No income limit, no age restriction, no caste-based criterion
- Minor girls can also apply with their guardian’s details
- Out-of-state residents are NOT eligible, even if currently residing in Karnataka
How to apply:
- Walk-in method (fastest): Visit the nearest KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC, or KKRTC bus depot and go to the dedicated Shakti Card counter. Carry your Aadhaar card. Major stations like Kempegowda Bus Station (Majestic) and Shivajinagar have dedicated counters.
- Online method: Apply through the Seva Sindhu portal at sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in — ideal for women in remote areas or those unable to visit a depot during working hours.
- The card is issued entirely free of charge at all stages.
Rollout Plan & Timeline
The pilot implementation will begin with BMTC in Bengaluru. BMTC has already procured 11,000 Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETMs), of which 6,000 are already operational. The rollout will then be expanded to KSRTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC across the rest of Karnataka. The government has targeted June 2026 — coinciding with the Shakti Scheme’s third anniversary on June 11 — for the distribution of smart cards to begin. The tender process for production and distribution of cards is underway, and the full system is expected to be operational within three months of tender completion.
What This Means for Women Commuters
For millions of women navigating Bengaluru’s complex transit landscape — combining BMTC buses for last-mile connectivity and Namma Metro for longer stretches — the unified Shakti Smart Card is a game-changer. It eliminates the daily friction of carrying multiple cards or tokens, speeds up boarding, and ensures a dignified, hassle-free commute. For women in smaller towns and districts, the card means faster, verified access to free travel without the vulnerability of having to show identity documents repeatedly to strangers.
The Shakti Smart Card is more than a transit upgrade — it is a statement of intent by the Karnataka government that women’s mobility is a public priority.
Source: Transport Department, Karnataka