Inside Shakti, The Free Bus Ride Program For Women In Bengaluru, Delhi

For more than a decade, 39-year-old Chikamma, who only uses her first name, has taken the bus, which eats up a chunk of her Rs 20,000 ($240.45) monthly wages.

Chikamma travels half an hour every day from her home in a village on the outskirts of Bengaluru to work as a domestic helper in Yelahanka, close to the city's airport.

For more than a decade, 39-year-old Chikamma, who only uses her first name, has taken the bus, which eats up a chunk of her Rs 20,000 ($240.45) monthly wages. Since the Karnataka state government made the public buses free to women in June, she has been able to save about 1,500 rupees a month.

"Earlier, I had money on some days, and on some days I didn't," Chikamma said. "Now, I am able to save up for household expenses and emergencies." Her daughter's ride to college is now also free.