Senior citizens in KP to get free BRT travel under Ehsaas Buzurg Card
Decision approved in meeting
The decision was taken during a meeting on the Ehsaas Buzurg Card programme chaired by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi.
Officials briefed the meeting on the proposed free transport facility and its financial impact on the provincial government.
The government estimates that providing free BRT travel to eligible senior citizens will cost around Rs935 million annually. The amount will cover the cost of the transport facility for beneficiaries using the BRT network.
Who will qualify for free BRT travel?
Under the approved plan, citizens aged 60 and above will qualify for free BRT travel. Eligible senior citizens will need an Ehsaas Buzurg Card to use the facility.
Before the cards are issued, beneficiaries will undergo verification through the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). The verification process is intended to ensure that the facility reaches eligible senior citizens and reduce the possibility of misuse.
Ehsaas Buzurg Cards to be issued
According to the plan, verified beneficiaries will receive their Ehsaas Buzurg Cards within five months. The process will begin with the verification of eligible senior citizens through NADRA.
Once the verification is completed, cards will be issued to those who meet the eligibility requirements. The card will then allow eligible senior citizens to use BRT buses without paying the regular fare.
Government introduces safeguards
The provincial government has also introduced measures to prevent misuse of the Ehsaas Buzurg Card. Officials say anyone found misusing the card will face a Rs500 fine.
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The penalty is intended to discourage people from using cards issued to eligible senior citizens for unauthorised travel. The government is also relying on beneficiary verification to maintain transparency in the programme.
Rs935 million annual cost
The free BRT facility comes with a significant financial commitment from the provincial government. Officials estimate that the programme will cost Rs935 million annually. The spending will cover free BRT travel for eligible senior citizens across the province’s BRT network.
The government will need to maintain the required funding as the number of beneficiaries using the service increases. The financial allocation also reflects the scale of the planned transport support for elderly citizens.
Relief for elderly commuters
The initiative is expected to provide direct financial relief to senior citizens who regularly depend on public transport. For many elderly commuters, transport fares can add to their daily expenses.
Free BRT travel could make it easier for eligible citizens to travel for routine activities without worrying about transport costs. The facility may also encourage greater use of the province’s organised public transport network among older residents.
Focus on public transport access
The initiative forms part of the government’s wider effort to improve access to public services for senior citizens. By linking the Ehsaas Buzurg Card with free BRT travel, the government is extending the benefits of the programme beyond direct financial support.
The measure could also make public transport more accessible for elderly people who have limited mobility or depend on public transport for their daily travel. However, the effectiveness of the initiative will depend on smooth card issuance, timely verification, and proper implementation of the free travel facility.
