Odisha government announces free bus travel for school students

In a major boost for education access, the Odisha government has announced that all school students will now be able to travel completely free on government-run buses under the Mukhyamantri Bus Seva (MBS) scheme .

Earlier, students were eligible for a 50 per cent fare concession in both AC and non-AC buses. With the latest decision, this partial subsidy has been upgraded to full free travel , ensuring that cost is no longer a barrier for attending school.

Students can avail the benefit by presenting a valid student ID card or wearing their school uniform , with the electronic ticket issue machine (ETIM) generating a zero-fare ticket automatically.

The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi in August. The Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) has been instructed to update its software and review bus routes and timings to cover the maximum number of schools.

Earlier in May, the MBS scheme offered 50 per cent fare concessions not only to students, but also to women, transgenders, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens. The latest move now makes Odisha one of the few states in India providing fully free bus travel for school students, joining Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh , while Karnataka is considering similar plans.