Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Uttar Pradesh Offers Free Buses and Festival Transport for Women
Uttar Pradesh is letting women ride many government and city buses without paying during Raksha Bandhan.
The free rides run from the morning of August 27 until midnight on August 29.
Women can also bring one companion free on corporation buses.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched special buses for the program.
The program is called the Lokmata Ahilyabai Matrushakti Yatra.
Women aged 60 and above received smart cards and other gifts at an event in Lucknow.
Officials are adding buses and staff because many people may travel.
Special trains and extra security are also being arranged for the festival crowds.
Women can travel free on Uttar Pradesh state and city buses from 6 a.m. on August 27 until midnight on August 29.
Each female passenger may bring one companion free on Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation buses.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the Lokmata Ahilyabai Matrushakti Yatra and flagged off special buses in Lucknow.
The state planned security measures including Anti-Romeo Squads, driver monitoring and additional personnel at bus stations.
Northern Railway announced special trains linking Chandigarh and Lucknow, and Delhi and Varanasi, to manage the festival rush.
- Who
- Women passengers in Uttar Pradesh, including women aged 60 and above, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
- What
- Free travel for women on Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation and city buses, with one free companion on corporation buses; additional buses and trains are also being arranged.
- When
- Free bus travel runs from 6 a.m. on August 27 until midnight on August 29; the launch event took place on August 26.
- Where
- Across Uttar Pradesh; the launch event was held at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow, while special trains will serve routes involving Lucknow, Chandigarh, Delhi and Varanasi.
- Why
- The initiative was announced as a Raksha Bandhan gift and to help manage the festival travel rush.
- Free-travel period
- 6 a.m. August 27 to midnight August 29
- Eligible passengers
- Women traveling on Uttar Pradesh state and city buses
- Companion benefit
- One companion may travel free with each female passenger on corporation buses
- Program launched
- Lokmata Ahilyabai Matrushakti Yatra
- Senior-women benefit
- Women aged 60 and above received smart cards and traveled free on special buses
- Lucknow-region buses
- 979 air-conditioned and ordinary buses were scheduled during Raksha Bandhan
- Rail services
- Special trains were announced between Chandigarh and Lucknow and between Delhi and Varanasi via Lucknow
- Security measures
- Anti-Romeo Squads, driver checks, railway personnel, CCTV surveillance, and airport security teams were deployed
