Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Oct 3: In a move aimed at promoting eco-friendly travel and supporting women commuters, Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd (KTC) has announced a 50% fare concession for women passengers using smart transit cards aboard its electric buses.

The announcement was made during the 45th KTC anniversary celebrations at the KTC Bus Stand Complex in Panaji on Thursday, where Chief Minister Pramod Sawant urged commuters to take advantage of monthly passes and Smart Transit Cards as part of the ongoing digitisation efforts.

This new initiative expands KTC’s existing concession policy, which already provides 50% fare discounts to school and college students for intrastate travel. A KTC official told reporters that:

“Initially, the concession will be for smart city buses; however, plans are afoot to extend this initiative across all KTC buses and routes in Goa.”

Sawant also encouraged private bus operators to utilise the state government’s ‘Mhaji Bus’ scheme, which offers incentives to modernise public transport in Goa.

Addressing staff welfare, the CM said pending dues of retired and current KTC employees are being addressed, adding that facilities such as refresher courses and stress management programs will be provided to staff.

At the event, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho announced plans for e-tracking of buses along with geo-mapping of routes, while Navelim MLA and KTC chairperson Ulhas Tuenkar revealed that KTC intends to scrap 280 old buses and introduce around 100 electric buses across various routes by 2027.

The initiative is expected to enhance women’s accessibility to public transport while accelerating the adoption of sustainable mobility solutions across Goa.