Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced on Thursday, 28 May 2026 that school and college students in Haryana will receive free bus travel on the state's electric bus fleet, extending a benefit already available on conventional Haryana Roadways diesel services.

Posting in Hindi on X, CM Saini stated: 'हरियाणा के स्कूल और कॉलेज के विद्यार्थियों के लिए हरियाणा रोडवेज की तर्ज पर इलेक्ट्रिक बसों में भी फ्री बस सेवा रहेगी।' [Translation: 'For school and college students of Haryana, free bus service will be available on electric buses as well, on the lines of Haryana Roadways.']

Context

Haryana Roadways has historically provided free or heavily subsidised bus passes to students travelling to schools and colleges as part of the state's education support framework. This concession has been a long-standing feature of the state transport corporation's social mandate, benefiting students across urban and rural districts of Haryana.

The announcement by CM Saini signals that this welfare benefit will not be limited to the older diesel fleet but will carry over seamlessly to the newer electric bus services being inducted into the state's public transport network.

Policy Backdrop

India's push for electric public transport has accelerated since the launch of the FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) scheme in 2015, with subsequent phases expanding subsidies for electric bus procurement by state transport undertakings. Several Indian states have grappled with the question of whether existing passenger concessions — particularly for students, women, and senior citizens — would extend to newly acquired EV fleets.

Haryana's decision, as articulated by CM Saini, aligns with a broader national pattern where states choose to maintain social subsidies even as they transition to cleaner technology, ensuring that the shift to electric mobility does not inadvertently erode welfare entitlements for vulnerable or economically weaker sections of the population.

Stakeholders and Impact

The primary beneficiaries are school and college students across Haryana, many of whom depend on state-run bus services for their daily commute, particularly in semi-urban and rural areas where private transport options are limited or unaffordable. For these students, the continuity of the free travel benefit on electric buses removes a potential financial barrier that could have emerged during the fleet transition.

The move is also significant for Haryana Roadways as an institution, reinforcing its dual role as both a commercially evolving entity adopting green technology and a social-sector service provider committed to student welfare. Operators and bus manufacturers supplying the electric fleet may also see stronger policy certainty around ridership and revenue support from the state government.

What's Next

Formal government notifications detailing the rollout timeline, the number of electric buses covered, and the pass issuance mechanism for students are expected to follow the announcement. Observers will also watch Haryana's state budget allocations for electric bus procurement, which will determine the scale and pace at which the free EV travel benefit reaches students statewide.

As more electric buses are inducted into the Haryana Roadways fleet, the policy will be tested on its implementation — particularly whether pass issuance and verification systems are updated in time to cover the new vehicle category without disruption to student commuters.