Bhubaneswar: In a significant step aimed at strengthening access to education, the Odisha government has approved free bus travel for school students under the Mukhyamantri Bus Seva scheme. The decision replaces the existing 50 per cent concession on ticket fares with complete exemption from payment, ensuring that transportation costs do not become a barrier to schooling.
The Commerce and Transport Department said the proposal was cleared during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on August 21, 2025. The initiative is expected to particularly benefit students from rural and remote areas, where long distances and daily travel expenses often contribute to irregular attendance and school dropouts.
Under the revised arrangement, students travelling in both AC and non-AC buses will be issued zero-value tickets through the Electronic Ticket Issue Machine (ETIM). To avail of the benefit, students will be required to either produce a valid student identity card or be in school uniform while travelling.
The Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) has been directed to update its ticketing software, review and rationalise bus routes, and adjust schedules to ensure better connectivity to schools and colleges. Officials said special attention will be given to routes serving interior and underserved regions.
Government sources described the move as part of a broader strategy to improve educational outcomes by addressing non-academic barriers. By reducing the financial burden on families and easing daily commuting challenges, the scheme is expected to boost attendance, enhance continuity in education, and contribute to lower dropout rates.
Officials said the free travel facility will come into effect soon after operational adjustments are completed, marking another welfare-oriented intervention focused on students and families across the state.
-OdishaAge
