IJCOPE Journal

UGC Logo DOI / ISO Logo

International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management

A Peer-Reviewed, Open-Access International Journal Supporting Multidisciplinary Research, Digital Publishing Standards, DOI Registration, and Academic Indexing.
Journal Information
ISSN: 3108-1754 (Online)
Crossref DOI: Available
ISO Certification: 9001:2015
Publication Fee: 599/- INR
Compliance: UGC Journal Norms
License: CC BY 4.0
Peer Review: Double Blind
Volume 02, Issue 8

Published on: August 2026

FARE FREE BUS TRAVEL FOR WOMEN AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT: AN IMPACT STUDY IN DINDIGUL.

Dhana Sekar G

Research Scholar,

Department of Political Science and Development Administration

Gandhigram Rural Institute , Gandhigram , Dindigal, Tamil Nadu, India
DOI:https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i8.067

Article Status

Plagiarism Passed Peer Reviewed Open Access

Available Documents

Download PDF Review Report

Abstract

This study examines the impact of Tamil Nadu's free bus travel scheme for women on economic empowerment, drawing on a primary survey of 100 women beneficiaries in Dindigul. The scheme, introduced in 2021 under the 'magalir vidiyal payanam ', aimed to enhance women's mobility, workforce participation, and financial autonomy by eliminating transportation costs. The findings reveal that the scheme has significantly improved women's access to employment, healthcare, and education, with 72% of respondents reporting savings of ₹1,000-₹2,000 monthly redirected towards household expenses and children's education. However, the study also identifies persistent challenges including safety concerns, overcrowding, and first- and last-mile connectivity issues that limit the scheme's transformative potential. The analysis contributes to the growing body of evidence on gender-responsive transport policies and their role in advancing women's economic empowerment in developing economies.

How to Cite this Paper

G, D. S. (2026). Fare Free Bus Travel for Women and Economic Empowerment: An Impact Study in Dindigul.. International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management, <i>02</i>(8), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i8.067

G, Dhana. "Fare Free Bus Travel for Women and Economic Empowerment: An Impact Study in Dindigul.." International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management, vol. 02, no. 8, 2026, pp. 1-9. doi:https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i8.067.

G, Dhana. "Fare Free Bus Travel for Women and Economic Empowerment: An Impact Study in Dindigul.." International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management 02, no. 8 (2026): 1-9. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i8.067.

Search & Index

Google Scholar Crossref DOI ResearchGate

References


  1. Chen, Y., Cosar, K., Ghose, D., Mahendru, S., & Sekhri, S. (2024). Gender-Specific Transportation Costs and Female Time Use: Evidence from India's Pink Slip Program. World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 10701. World Bank Open Knowledge Repository. -1

  2. Express News Service. (2025, August 19). Karnataka's Shakti Scheme enters Golden Book of World Records with over 500 crore ticketed women journeys. The Indian Express. -2

  3. Hindustan Times. (2024, October 28). Free bus rides improved women's mobility by 23%, but 77% passengers feel unsafe after 5pm: Report. Hindustan Times. -3

  4. The Hindu. (2025, October 16). Karnataka's Shakti scheme boosted economic independence, mobility and employment of women across State, finds survey. The Hindu.

  5. Kotiswaran, P. (2025). Routes to Recognition: The Impact of Karnataka's Shakti Scheme on Women's Paid Work. King's College London Dickson Poon School of Law.

  6. Greenpeace India. (2024). Riding the Justice Route; Free Bus Travel as a Step Towards Gender-Just Public Transport in Delhi.

  7. Nikore Associates. (2025). Beyond Free Rides: A Multi-State Assessment of Women's Bus Fare Subsidy schemes in Urban India. Sustainable Mobility Network.

  8. Jamba, H., Devaraj, A., & Kanuri, C. (2025). Fare-Free Bus Travel Scheme for Women: Lessons from Delhi. World Resources Institute India.

  9. Krishnaswamy, T. (2025). Impact evaluation of the five guarantees of the government of Karnataka. Lokniti-CSDS & Indus Action Initiatives.

  10. The New Indian Express. (2025, September 28). Karnataka govt's guarantees empower low-income household women: Study. The New Indian Express.

Ethical Compliance & Review Process

  • •All submissions are screened under plagiarism detection.
  • •Review follows editorial policy.
  • •Authors retain copyright.
  • •Peer Review Type: Double-Blind Peer Review
  • •Published on: Aug 08 2026
CCBYNC

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. You are free to share and adapt this work for non-commercial purposes with proper attribution.

View License
Back to Volume 02, Issue 8View All Issues Next Article

← Previous Article

Experimental Investigation on the Strength and Workability of M25 Concrete Using Waste Ceramic Tiles and Granite Powder as Partial Replacement of Aggregates

Next Article →

Folk Traditions as Ecological Archives: A Study of Indigenous Knowledge
Scroll to Top