Rajasthan Launches ‘Aapni Bus-Rajasthan Roadways’ Initiative

• 06 Oct 2025

Why in News? 

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma inaugurated the ‘Aapni Bus-Rajasthan Roadways’ initiative on  5th October 2025, marking a significant step towards improving rural transport connectivity and passenger amenities in Rajasthan.

Key Points

• About: The initiative is part of the state budget’s commitment to upgrade transport infrastructure, especially in rural and semi-urban areas. 
  • Earlier, these routes were operated under the ‘Public Transport Service’, which has now been rebranded as ‘Aapni Bus-Rajasthan Roadways’ for better visibility and integration. 
  • The buses will be managed by private operators under RSRTC’s supervision, ensuring professional service delivery and maintenance standards. 
• Coverage: The service will operate across 169 gram panchayats to strengthen last-mile connectivity by ensuring affordable, safe, and reliable transport for rural and small-town areas. 
• Operational Framework: The model operates on a revenue-sharing arrangement wherein private operators pay ₹5–7 per kilometre to the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC), while passengers are charged a fixed fare of ₹1.5 per kilometre. 
  • Free travel concessions will continue for women, senior citizens, and government-sponsored beneficiaries. 
  • All buses are equipped with GPS, panic buttons, and real-time tracking systems to enhance safety and transparency. 
• Significance: The initiative enhances rural connectivity by improving access to healthcare, education, and markets, generates local employment, integrates digital governance with smart tracking for transparency, and improves passenger comfort and trust through better safety and catering facilities.