The Odisha Yatri platform, a digital initiative to streamline state-run public transport, has witnessed an impressive demographic trend—over 57% of its users are women.
Recent data indicates a significant increase in confidence in Odisha’s public transport system, with women making up 57.44% of total users on the Odisha Yatri platform between October 2024 and July 2025. Out of 257,000 passengers who used the platform, over 148,000 were female users—a remarkable indicator of improved accessibility, safety, and gender inclusion in the state’s mobility landscape.
The Odisha Yatri app was launched by Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi in January 2025, following its pilot operations that began in October 2024. Month-on-month usage trends show a consistent preference among female users, peaking at 61.63% in January 2025. Even in the latest data for July 2025, women accounted for 55.38% of users, significantly surpassing male ridership.
Transport officials attribute this shift to a combination of factors, including verified drivers, real-time trip tracking, enhanced last-mile connectivity, and a strong grievance redressal system. The app’s integration with enforcement and transport authorities has created a safer and more accountable commuting experience, particularly for women and other vulnerable groups.
The HUD Department remarked, “The data speaks for itself—women are not just participating; they are leading the adoption of Odisha Yatri. This reflects the government’s strong commitment to gender-responsive and inclusive transport. It is also the vision of the HUD Department that Odisha Yatri will become a unique platform providing ‘Mobility as a Service’ (MaaS), offering solutions for first and last-mile connectivity in urban mobility.”
In a further demonstration of its community-oriented approach, Odisha Yatri, in collaboration with the State Transport Authority of Odisha, provided free auto rides to over 30,000 pilgrims during this year’s Puri Ratha Yatra.
Looking ahead, there are plans to expand Odisha Yatri to more cities across the state and to introduce ambulance and boating services under the platform, ensuring a broader reach and impact.
As Odisha moves toward a safer, smarter, and more inclusive public transport system, the rise in female ridership serves as a compelling testament to the trust and security women find in services designed with their dignity and safety at the forefront.
