Over 88 lakh passengers avail free bus travel facility for Rakshabandhan in UP

LUCKNOW, Aug 30: More than 88.94 lakh passengers availed the free bus travel facility provided by the Uttar Pradesh government over three days on the occasion of Rakshabandhan, officials said on Sunday.

According to the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC), 55.17 lakh women and 33.76 lakh co-passengers travelled free of cost from August 27 to 29, between 6 am and midnight.

In a statement issued here on Sunday, the government said that it surpassed its own record from last year and enabled more passengers to avail free travel, spending Rs 106.98 crore.

Transport Department Additional Chief Secretary Archana Agrawal said, "For Raksha Bandhan, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had announced free bus travel for women and their co-passengers. In successfully implementing this facility, officers and employees of UPSRTC, along with drivers and conductors, contributed with complete commitment, with the guidance and cooperation of the departmental minister."

In 2025, 78.26 lakh passengers travelled free of cost over three days around Raksha Bandhan, costing the government Rs 86.98 crore. This year, the number increased to 88.94 lakh, officials said.

According to the data, the highest number of passengers -- 49.96 lakh, including 32.47 lakh women and 17.48 lakh co-passengers -- travelled free of cost on August 28, the main festival day. On August 27, 9.26 lakh and on August 29, 29.71 lakh passengers availed free bus travel. (PTI)