Eligible families with annual income up to ₹1 lakh can avail up to 1,000 km of free travel every year on ordinary Haryana Roadways buses
YAMUNANAGAR | PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK
The Haryana government is implementing the Haryana Antyodaya Parivahan Yojana, popularly known as the Happy Card Scheme, to provide affordable and accessible public transport to economically weaker and Antyodaya families across the state. Under the scheme, eligible families are entitled to free travel of up to 1,000 kilometres per family every year on ordinary buses operated by Haryana Roadways.
Deputy Commissioner Preeti said the scheme has been designed to reduce the financial burden on eligible families who need to travel for education, employment, medical treatment and other essential purposes. Families with an annual income of up to ₹1 lakh can avail themselves of the free travel facility through the Happy Card scheme.
She said affordable public transport can make a significant difference for economically weaker households, particularly when family members have to travel regularly for studies, work, healthcare or other essential requirements. The scheme is intended to make such travel more accessible while reducing the amount families have to spend on transportation.
Giving details of the Happy Cards received and distributed through the Yamunanagar depot, the Deputy Commissioner said 88,917 cards were received during 2024. Of these, 86,153 cards have already been distributed, while 2,764 cards remain to be distributed.
She further said that 61,593 new Happy Cards had been received up to March 2026, of which 12,222 had been distributed. Distribution of the remaining cards is being undertaken on a priority basis, she added.
The Deputy Commissioner said the Happy Card scheme is part of a wider range of passenger-oriented facilities being provided by Haryana Roadways for different sections of society. These facilities include concessions and travel support for senior citizens, women, students, persons with disabilities and other eligible categories.
Senior citizens aged 60 years and above are being provided a 50 per cent concession on fares in ordinary buses. The concession is intended to make public transport more affordable for elderly passengers and facilitate their mobility for essential and personal purposes.
The state transport system also provides reserved seating for women passengers. According to the information shared by the Deputy Commissioner, 15 seats, from seat numbers 6 to 20, are reserved for women in buses.
Special bus services are also available for women and girl students. The transport system includes provisions aimed at facilitating the daily travel of students between their homes and educational institutions. Girl students can avail themselves of free travel through bus passes for journeys of up to 150 kilometres between their homes and educational institutions, subject to the applicable provisions.
The government has also made provisions for free travel for children and women with disabilities along with one attendant. Such facilities are aimed at making public transport more accessible to persons who may require additional support while travelling.
The Deputy Commissioner said passenger safety and grievance redressal were also important components of the transport facilities being provided by the state. Helpline numbers 1091, 1098 and 112 have been displayed on buses for women passengers and students so that complaints or emergencies can be reported to the appropriate authorities.
Apart from the facilities available under the Happy Card scheme, Haryana Roadways provides free travel facilities to widows of freedom fighters. Various concessional bus passes are also available for employees and members of the general public under applicable categories and rules.
To provide greater comfort to passengers, the state transport system also operates air-conditioned bus services on selected routes. These services provide an additional travel option for passengers seeking comfortable public transportation.
Another provision allows student bus passes to be accepted on electric buses, thereby enabling students to use the expanding electric bus network while availing themselves of the applicable pass facility. The measure is intended to extend the benefit of student travel facilities to newer modes of public transport.
The Deputy Commissioner said the range of concessions and travel facilities offered by Haryana Roadways reflected the government’s objective of ensuring that people from vulnerable and economically weaker sections are able to access safe, convenient and affordable public transportation.
For families covered under the Happy Card scheme, the annual free travel entitlement can help reduce recurring transportation expenses. The facility can be particularly useful for households whose members travel regularly to schools, colleges, workplaces, hospitals and government offices.
The distribution figures from the Yamunanagar depot indicate that a substantial number of Happy Cards have already been handed over to beneficiaries. The remaining cards from the different batches are being distributed according to priority, with eligible beneficiaries expected to receive the cards through the prescribed process.
The administration has also emphasised that beneficiaries should make proper use of the facilities available to them and remain aware of the various concessions and passenger services provided by Haryana Roadways.
The wider transport benefits for women, students, senior citizens and persons with disabilities complement the Happy Card scheme by addressing the mobility requirements of different sections of society. Free or concessional travel can help reduce barriers to education, employment, healthcare and other essential services.
The availability of dedicated helpline numbers also provides passengers with channels through which safety concerns and complaints can be brought to the attention of authorities. Women and students, in particular, have been advised to use the designated helplines whenever necessary.
The state government’s transport initiatives are therefore aimed not only at providing financial relief but also at improving accessibility and encouraging greater use of public transport among eligible beneficiaries.
The Deputy Commissioner reiterated that the overall objective of these schemes and facilities is to ensure that people who need support are able to travel safely, conveniently and at an affordable cost. The Happy Card scheme, along with concessions and special travel provisions for various categories, is intended to strengthen the public transport support system for residents across Haryana.
For economically weaker and Antyodaya families in particular, the annual free travel provision of up to 1,000 kilometres can provide meaningful financial support while allowing family members to undertake essential journeys without the additional burden of regular bus fares.
The administration has urged eligible beneficiaries to make use of the facilities available under the scheme and other Haryana Roadways concessions as per the applicable eligibility criteria and rules.
POD/DESK
