Tamil Nadu expands no-fare bus travel for women and transgender persons
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has launched the Vettri Payanam scheme, extending no-fare travel across additional bus services in cities, towns, mofussil areas and Ghat sections. The programme covers 12,695 buses and is expected to benefit 84.32 lakh people daily, with two districts temporarily excluded because of bypoll rules.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay launched the Vettri Payanam scheme in Chennai on October 2, expanding no-fare bus travel for women and transgender persons. The Chief Minister launched the programme at the Koyambedu bus terminus by issuing free tickets to women passengers.
The scheme expands the five-year-old Magalir Vidiyal Payanam programme and is expected to reach 84.32 lakh beneficiaries each day. Under the expanded arrangement, women can travel without paying fares on Ordinary, Express, Limited Stop Service and Deluxe buses in cities and towns. The benefit also applies to Ordinary buses in mofussil areas and to Ordinary buses operating in Ghat sections beyond 40 km.
A total of 12,695 buses operated by the State’s seven transport corporations have been brought under the scheme. The transport system will operate 1,68,500 single trips, according to the information released with the launch. The scheme is intended to improve access to public transport.
Its stated beneficiaries include girl students travelling long distances to college, women and transgender persons commuting to work, and people travelling for urgent medical needs. The programme will not operate in Chengalpattu and Tiruppur districts for the time being because the Model Code of Conduct is in force there for by-elections in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies. The Chief Minister had announced the expanded scheme in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on August 24 under Rule No.
110. Transport Minister A. Vijay Tamilan Parthiban, Chief Secretary M.
Sai Kumar and senior transport officials attended the launch. Passengers present at Koyambedu welcomed the expansion.
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