Daijiworld Media Network - Sanquelim
Sanquelim, Jun 29: In a significant step towards inclusive mobility, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that the Goa government is considering a 50% concession on bus fares for women employed in the private sector. The move aims to make daily commuting more affordable while encouraging greater participation of women in the workforce.
Speaking at the launch of the Mhaji Bus Scheme 2025 in Sanquelim, Sawant stated that the benefit would be extended across all bus services. He further announced that students would also receive a 50% concession on fares, while general passengers opting for the upcoming bus card system would be entitled to a 20% discount.
The Chief Minister emphasised the importance of safe and affordable transport for working women, particularly those in industrial and private sector jobs. “A 50% concession will reduce their financial burden,” he said.
The Mhaji Bus Scheme 2025 has been designed not only to upgrade Goa’s public transport infrastructure but also to empower private bus operators. As part of the initiative, operators will be offered ?3 per kilometre as an operational subsidy, a Rs 10 lakh grant to replace ageing buses, and 50% reimbursement on insurance premiums up to Rs 30,000 annually.
Private bus owners participating in the scheme will be allowed to retain 100% of fare revenue and will receive electronic ticketing machines (ETMs) with real-time tracking integrated into the KTCL mobile app. All buses under the scheme will feature uniform branding, trained conductors, and synchronized routes with KTCL services for better connectivity.
To address concerns from current operators, Sawant assured that the government will clear pending dues from the previous phase of the Mhaji Bus scheme. Half of the outstanding payments will be disbursed immediately, with the remainder to be paid within two months.
Sawant also promised that existing private operators would not be left out during the system’s upgrade. Support will be extended in the form of fuel subsidies, GPS tracking device installations, digital ticketing tools, and on-bus advertising opportunities.
To ensure smooth implementation and transparency, the Transport Department is working on a monthly reporting and reimbursement system. The Chief Minister urged bus owners to join the Mhaji Bus Scheme, highlighting annual benefits of over Rs 2.5 lakh along with improved access to infrastructure and technology.