Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday reviewed preparations for the statewide launch of the expanded free bus travel scheme for women, Vetri Payanam, which is scheduled to come into effect on October 2.
The expanded scheme will cover 12,692 government buses operated by the state’s seven State Transport Corporations and is expected to benefit around 84.32 lakh women every day, according to the state government’s latest figures.
The scheme will extend the existing free travel facility beyond ordinary city and town buses to a wider range of services, including Express, Limited Stop Service (LSS), Deluxe, Mofussil Ordinary and Ghat Ordinary buses.
12,692 buses to come under scheme
Under the expanded Vetri Payanam scheme, women will be able to travel free on designated government buses operating in urban as well as inter-district areas.
The coverage will include Express, LSS and Deluxe buses operating within corporation and municipal areas. Mofussil Ordinary buses and Ghat Ordinary buses operating on routes beyond 40 kilometres will also be included.
Of the 18,413 scheduled buses operated by the seven State Transport Corporations, 12,692 buses will come under the scheme. This represents 69% of the total scheduled fleet.
These buses are expected to operate 1,65,312 single trips every day, accounting for 85% of the 1,94,649 scheduled single trips operated by the transport corporations.
84.32 lakh women expected to benefit daily
The state government estimates that around 84.32 lakh women will benefit from the expanded scheme every day.
The government has said the initiative is intended to reduce transport-related barriers for women and girl students. The expanded coverage is expected to make it easier for women to travel to workplaces and hospitals, while allowing students to access colleges located farther from their homes.
The scheme was announced by Vijay in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on August 24 under Rule 110. The government said the expansion was intended to ensure that women do not lose employment, education or access to essential services because of transport costs.
Free travel extended to more bus categories
Women currently travel free on eligible ordinary city buses operated by the seven state transport undertakings, as well as ordinary buses on certain ghat routes.
From October 2, the facility will cover a broader set of services.
These include:
- Express buses operating in metropolitan and urban areas
- Limited Stop Service buses
- Deluxe government buses
- Mofussil Ordinary buses
- Ghat Ordinary buses operating beyond 40 kilometres
The expansion is intended to extend the benefit to women travelling both within cities and across districts.
Electronic ticketing system ready
Preparations for implementing the expanded scheme have progressed with the integration of Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETMs) across the designated buses.
According to the latest review, the ETM integration work has been completed. System testing and verification are scheduled to be completed by September 25, followed by a trial run on September 27.
The testing is intended to ensure that the ticketing systems are ready before the scheme begins statewide on October 2.
CM reviews launch preparations
Vijay reviewed the preparations at a meeting held at the Secretariat on Monday.
Transport Minister A Vijay Thamizhan Parthiban and senior government officials attended the meeting, where the focus was on operational readiness ahead of the October 2 launch.
The government is also expected to identify buses covered under the scheme through dedicated signage so that passengers can distinguish them from services outside the programme.
Scheme to cover majority of scheduled services
With 12,692 buses and 1,65,312 scheduled single trips included, the expanded programme will cover a substantial share of the services operated by Tamil Nadu’s seven State Transport Corporations.
The October 2 rollout will therefore mark a significant expansion of the existing women-focused free travel facility, particularly for passengers who depend on Express, Deluxe, Mofussil and longer-distance ghat services.
The state government’s latest preparations indicate that the focus is now on completing testing and ensuring that the designated buses and ticketing systems are ready before the statewide launch.