The Uttarakhand government has announced 100% fare-free travel for women in Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC) buses on August 28 and 29, 2026, around Raksha Bandhan, which falls on August 28.
The decision is aimed at making festive travel more affordable and convenient for women travelling to meet their families, including those returning to their parental homes. The state government will reimburse the additional financial burden incurred by UTC because of the fare waiver.
An order directing the corporation to make the necessary arrangements was issued by Additional Secretary, Uttarakhand Government, Reena Joshi. The move continues a policy the state has repeatedly used around Raksha Bandhan, with similar free-travel arrangements announced in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Two Days Of Free Travel
Under the latest decision, women will be able to travel without paying fares in UTC buses for two days, August 28 and 29, with the benefit applicable to travel within Uttarakhand. The government has directed the transport corporation to implement the arrangement, while the cost arising from the fare exemption will be reimbursed by the state.
The timing is significant. Raksha Bandhan is traditionally accompanied by increased movement as sisters travel to meet their brothers and families. In a state where several communities are spread across mountainous and geographically difficult-to-reach areas, public buses remain an important mode of transport for intercity and intra-state travel. The fare waiver could therefore offer direct financial relief to women who may otherwise have to factor travel costs into their festive plans.
The Uttarakhand Transport Corporation operates several categories of services, including ordinary, AC, Volvo and other bus services. Its official online platform also provides passengers with booking, bus-pass and tracking services. The latest announcement, however, specifically refers to buses operated by UTC within the state; travellers should check with the corporation for any route- or service-specific implementation details before travelling.
The official order also places the financial responsibility on the government rather than individual passengers or the corporation alone. According to the reported order, Additional Secretary Reena Joshi instructed UTC to take necessary action in accordance with the government’s decision.
A Recurring Raksha Bandhan Measure
The announcement is not a new policy in Uttarakhand. Free bus travel for women around Raksha Bandhan has become a recurring annual measure under the Pushkar Singh Dhami government.
In 2021, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced free travel for women in UTC buses as a Raksha Bandhan initiative. In 2022, the government again announced the facility, with the benefit restricted to intra-state travel. In 2023, the government extended the free-travel window to cover the Raksha Bandhan period, with reports stating that women could travel in UTC buses without paying fares.
The arrangement continued in 2024 and 2025. In 2024, the state issued directions for free travel for women around Raksha Bandhan, while in 2025 UTC ordered a 100% fare exemption on ordinary buses for women travelling within the state. The 2025 arrangement also provided for the government to reimburse the corporation for the resulting expenditure.
The latest decision therefore represents a continuation rather than a one-off intervention. It also comes as other states are announcing similar festive transport measures. Uttar Pradesh, for instance, has announced free travel for women in UPSRTC buses during Raksha Bandhan this year, alongside additional bus services to deal with the expected rise in passengers.
While the government has framed the Uttarakhand initiative around women’s convenience and affordable mobility, its success will ultimately depend on how effectively the transport system handles the expected festive rush. Free fares can make public transport more accessible, but adequate bus availability, orderly boarding, reliable schedules and safe journeys remain equally important.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Making public transport more affordable can have a meaningful impact, particularly for women travelling long distances to reconnect with their families during festivals. Uttarakhand’s recurring Raksha Bandhan initiative is a reminder that social welfare measures are most valuable when they translate into practical support in people’s everyday lives.
At the same time, accessibility should go hand in hand with safety, dignity and reliable public services. The government and UTC must ensure that the fare waiver does not come at the cost of overcrowded buses, disrupted services or difficult journeys. Festivals such as Raksha Bandhan are ultimately about relationships, care and togetherness; policies that make it easier for people to reach their loved ones can support that spirit.
