Extend free travel facility to metro services for students
Following the Karnataka government’s decision to provide free bus travel to students across the State, the Bengaluru Metro Commuters Association (BMCA) and students have urged
Following the Karnataka government’s decision to provide free bus travel to students across the State, the Bengaluru Metro Commuters Association (BMCA) and students have urged the government to extend the benefit to Namma Metro users by introducing free or subsidised metro passes for students. After taking charge as Chief Minister on June 3, D.K. Shivakumar announced a free bus travel scheme to students across the State. In a statement, the association welcomed the announcement of free bus passes, but said the initiative would have a greater impact if students were also allowed to travel free of cost on the city’s metro network. The BMCA pointed out that unlike several public transport systems in the country, the Namma Metro currently does not offer concession passes to any category of commuters, including students and persons with disabilities (PwDs).
The demand for such concessions has been pending for several years, it said. According to the association, transport expenses should not become an obstacle to education. It argued that free metro travel would help students from different socio-economic backgrounds access educational institutions, libraries, coaching centres and other academic facilities across Bengaluru without placing an additional financial burden on their families. Students echoe demand Students who rely on the metro services for their daily commute echoed the demand. Lavanya S., a UPSC aspirant from Indiranagar, said a subsidised student metro pass would significantly reduce her monthly travel expenses. “After attending college, I travel by metro every day to reach my coaching centre in Vijayanagar as well. The metro is the fastest and most reliable option for me because I have to travel across the city.
While free travel would be ideal, even a discounted student pass would make a big difference. Many students like me depend on the metro several times a day and spend a substantial amount on commuting every month,” she said. Pavan Rao, a college student from Rajajinagar, said that the government’s free bus travel initiative had brought relief to many students but noted that metro fares continue to be a major expense. “My college is located near Hesaraghatta Road. I take the metro up to Dasarahalli and then continue my journey by bus. The free bus facility will reduce part of my travel cost, but most of my journey is still by metro. Since a large number of students depend on the metro network to reach colleges located across Bengaluru, extending concessions to metro travel would provide meaningful financial support,” he said.
The BriefWire