Bhubaneswar, Aug 27: Women passengers will be able to travel free on Ama Bus services across seven cities in Odisha on August 27, as the state marks Raksha Bandhan.
The Comprehensive Region Urban Transport (CRUT) announced the special travel facility following directions from the Chief Minister and under the guidance of Housing & Urban Development Minister Dr Krushna Chandra Mahapatra. The initiative is intended to make public transport more accessible and convenient for women during the festival.
The offer will apply to all Ama Buses operating in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Berhampur and Keonjhar. CRUT expects more than one lakh women passengers to use the service during the day.
Although the journey will be free, women passengers will still be required to obtain a Zero Ticket. CRUT has asked passengers to cooperate with conductors and other bus staff and follow basic travel guidelines to ensure orderly operations.
The transport authority has also highlighted the safety features available on Ama Bus services, including GPS-based tracking, CCTV surveillance, trained staff and passenger assistance systems.
CRUT Managing Director Shri Siddik Alam said the initiative is part of the organisation’s continued efforts to provide women with safe, reliable and affordable public transportation.
The free travel facility is expected to benefit women travelling across the participating cities for family gatherings and other Raksha Bandhan activities, while also encouraging greater use of public transport.
CRUT has urged women to make use of the facility and travel on Ama Buses during the festival, while maintaining passenger discipline to ensure a comfortable experience for everyone.
