Free Bus Travel for Women: Both the central and state governments are introducing special schemes for women. Through these initiatives, the government is implementing excellent programmes to empower women financially and to support their health and travel needs. Women who commute by bus daily can now travel for free, thanks to specific bus services operated by the government.
Notably, the Tamil Nadu government launched the free bus travel initiative on Gandhi Jayanti. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated the ‘Vetri Payanam’ scheme at the Koyambedu Bus Terminus in Chennai by distributing zero-fare tickets to passengers. Under this scheme, women are eligible for free bus travel.
Facility Extended to More Bus Services
The benefits of this free travel facility provided by the Tamil Nadu government are not limited to just one type of bus; they extend to a wide range of services operated by the state. These include Limited Stop Services (LSS), Deluxe, Express, Ghat Ordinary, and Mofussil Ordinary buses. The service also covers routes exceeding 40 km in hilly areas.
Daily Benefit for Lakhs of Women
According to the government, this scheme operates over 12,695 buses. These buses facilitate daily travel for 168,500 passengers per trip. Overall, more than 8.4 million (84 lakh) women across the state stand to benefit from this initiative.
No Income Limit
There is no income limit for women wishing to avail themselves of this government facility. Furthermore, there are no restrictions on the number of times a woman can travel for free in a single day. The state government has also included transgender individuals in this scheme.
Assistance for Female Students and Women
According to the state government, the primary objective of this scheme is to reduce the barriers women face in accessing education, workplaces, and essential services. Female students attending distant colleges, women commuting to work, and those travelling for medical treatment or other necessary tasks will benefit from this scheme. However, the benefit will not apply to all buses; only SETC buses have been included. Additionally, free travel will not be available on certain specific services.
Facility Not Available in These Areas
It should be noted that the Tamil Nadu government has not implemented this scheme in Madurantakam and Dharapuram due to the ongoing by-elections; the benefits will be extended there once the elections conclude. Notably, the term ‘Vetri Payanam’ translates to ‘Victorious Journey’.