Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Uttar Pradesh Free Buses Draw Millions During Raksha Bandhan
The Uttar Pradesh government let women ride state buses for free during Raksha Bandhan.
Each woman could travel with one companion without paying a fare.
One report said more than 9.26 lakh people used the service on August 27.
It counted over 6.03 lakh women and more than 3.22 lakh companions.
The transport corporation estimated the value of that travel at over Rs 9.06 crore.
Moradabad had the most passengers among the listed regions on that day.
Another report described a much larger rush on a later day and gave higher ticket totals.
The reports do not match exactly on the combined number of beneficiaries.
Extra buses and staff were deployed to help passengers travel home.
More than 9.26 lakh passengers reportedly used free UPSRTC buses on August 27, including over 6.03 lakh women and 3.22 lakh companions.
The first-day travel was valued at more than Rs 9.06 crore, according to the transport corporation.
Moradabad recorded the highest first-day total at 94,789 passengers, followed by Hardoi, Gorakhpur, Lucknow and Bareilly.
A separate PTI report said 49.96 lakh free tickets were issued on a subsequent Raksha Bandhan day, benefiting 32.47 lakh women and 17.48 lakh companions.
The reports cite differing cumulative figures, including 59.23 lakh tickets in two days and approximately 80 lakh beneficiaries by 5:00 pm Saturday.
- Who
- Women and one accompanying passenger each used the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation’s free-bus scheme.
- What
- The government provided zero-fare bus travel during Raksha Bandhan.
- When
- The facility ran from 6:00 am on August 27 until midnight on August 29; one report gives figures through 5:00 pm on Saturday.
- Where
- Across Uttar Pradesh on Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation buses.
- Why
- To help sisters travel during Raksha Bandhan, reduce families’ financial burden and manage the festival rush.
- Initial reported beneficiaries
- More than 9.26 lakh passengers on August 27
- Initial passenger breakdown
- Over 6.03 lakh women and more than 3.22 lakh companions
- Estimated first-day value
- More than Rs 9.06 crore
- Highest listed region
- Moradabad, with 94,789 passengers, including 62,586 women and 32,203 companions
- Reported later-day surge
- 49.96 lakh free tickets, benefiting over 32.47 lakh women and more than 17.48 lakh companions
- Two-day ticket total
- More than 59.23 lakh tickets, including 38.51 lakh women and 20.71 lakh companions
- Reported cumulative discrepancy
- A PTI report also described approximately 80 lakh women and one companion benefiting by 5:00 pm Saturday; the reports use different cumulative figures
