Odisha Announces Free Bus Travel for School Students Under MBS Scheme
Students can avail facility with ID card or school uniform; OSRTC to revise routes and timings
Bhubaneswar : In a major step to ease school transportation, the Odisha Government has approved the Free Bus Travel for Students initiative under the Mukhyamantri Bus Seva (MBS) scheme. The decision was finalised in a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on August 21, 2025.
Under the initiative, all school students across the state will be eligible for free bus rides by either presenting a valid student ID card or simply wearing their school uniform.
To ensure smooth implementation, the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) has been tasked with revising bus routes and timings to cover the maximum number of schools. District Education Officers will provide updated data to help in route re-mapping.
The Commerce and Transport Department will allocate funds to compensate OSRTC for the anticipated revenue loss due to the free travel provision. Departments and concerned officials have been instructed to take all necessary measures for the effective rollout of the scheme.
Officials said the initiative will reduce the financial burden on families, encourage greater use of public transport, and ensure safer and more reliable commuting options for thousands of students across the state.
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