Unified Shakti smart card planned to enable hassle-free travel in BMTC and Namma Metro buses for women

The card will continue to provide free travel benefits under the Shakti scheme in BMTC buses and services operated by other state transport companies. | Photo credit: MURALI KUMAR K

Women commuters in Bengaluru may soon be able to use a single smart card for both free bus travel and Namma Metro travel, with the state government planning to introduce the Shakti Scheme smart card integrated with the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC).

The proposed initiative aims to simplify public transport for women by enabling seamless travel across multiple modes using a single card. While the card will continue to provide free travel benefits under the Shakti scheme on Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses and services operated by other state transport companies, it will also function as a recharge payment card for Namma Metro services.

Officials said the new card is designed on the NCMC platform, a national standard that allows commuters to access various public transport systems through a single smart card. After implementation, the beneficiaries will no longer need separate systems for traveling by bus and metro.

Under the proposed framework, eligible women can get a free card by applying through online or offline channels. The government plans to facilitate registration through citizen service centers and digital platforms. “During the enrollment process, applicants will undergo e-KYC verification during which their residential address and other eligibility details will be digitally verified before the card is issued,” a senior official from the transport ministry told The Hindu.

Convenient mobility card

According to officials, the card will continue to guarantee free travel under the Shakti scheme in buses operated by the four state transport companies. At the same time, it will serve as a chip card with a stored value for subway trips.

“The aim is to provide women with one convenient mobility card. The beneficiary can get the card for free, travel in government buses under the Shakti scheme without any charges and also use the same card for metro travel after recharging. This will eliminate the need to carry multiple cards or tickets and travel across modes will be much smoother,” the official said.

Passengers currently enjoy free travel under the Shakti scheme by getting a zero-fare ticket on presentation of a valid conductor ID. However, officials noted that there have been cases of individuals using invalid or duplicate IDs to claim the benefit. They emphasized that the program is exclusively for women who are residents of Karnataka.

Officials further said that the verification process will help ensure that only eligible beneficiaries receive benefits. “While issuing the Shakti smart card, we will verify the applicant’s residential address and other details required to avail the benefits under the Shakti scheme. The digital verification process will help improve transparency and efficiency,” the official added.

To replace the current practice

The smart card is also expected to replace the current practice of passengers showing their Aadhaar cards to conductors to avail free travel. Instead, conductors will validate journeys by swiping a card at electronic ticket machines. The system will automatically generate zero-value tickets for Shakti recipients while maintaining accurate passenger records.

The official said the introduction of smart cards would also benefit conductors as it would improve the accuracy of passenger data. According to the official, there were cases where zero-fare tickets were allegedly issued even when no eligible passenger was travelling, leading to discrepancies in passenger records.

“Drivers often face difficulties in manual ID verification, especially during peak hours when buses are crowded. The smart card system will simplify the process and enable instant generation of tickets through visual verification or by applying the card to an electronic ticketing machine (ETM). This will reduce delays, improve efficiency and ensure more accurate data collection,” the official said.

Launched on 11 June 2023, the Shakti scheme, the first of five guarantee schemes of the Congress government, provides free travel for women, transgender persons and students in non-premium buses run by state transport companies. Since its introduction, the initiative has become one of Karnataka’s most widespread social programs and was awarded the Golden Book of World Records for facilitating free travel for the highest number of women passengers in the public transport system.

Published – 31 May 2026 21:12 IST