Bengaluru: The KSRTC on Friday began issuing free bus passes to all students in the state.

The move follows a state government order implementing the scheme, announced by Chief Minister D K Shivakumar at the first Cabinet meeting after assuming office.

Students can apply online through the Karnataka government’s SevaSindhu portal—including from their schools—to obtain a free bus pass, a KSRTC statement said.

Addresses of 123 pass-issuing counters are available on the KSRTC website, it said.

Existing guidelines for issuing student bus passes—covering eligibility criteria, distance limits, and pass validity—will remain unchanged.

“Student bus passes already issued during the current academic year will remain valid. However, the amount already paid by students will be refunded,” it said.

Students residing in Karnataka and studying in educational institutions in neighbouring states, as well as students from border areas of neighbouring states studying in institutions within Karnataka, will also be eligible for free bus passes, KSRTC added.

The facility is available on buses operated by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC).