2 weeks ago
Naidu Rides RTC Bus to Mark Stree Shakti Anniversary
In a place called Andhra Pradesh, there is a special program called Stree Shakti that lets women ride government buses for free.
The program started on August 15 one year ago, and the Chief Minister, N Chandrababu Naidu, celebrated its first birthday by riding a bus with some of the women.
Since it started, women have taken about 87 crore bus rides, which is a really, really big number.
Around 24 lakh women use the free bus ride every single day.
Women just need to show an Aadhaar card to travel anywhere in the state.
The government spends about Rs 8.53 crore every day to keep the free rides going.
The program helps women get to school, work, the doctor, and temples without paying.
Some women said they save up to Rs 4,000 every month because of the free rides.
The Chief Minister also served tea to the women and talked with them about their lives and health.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday travelled by APSRTC bus from the Independence Day venue in Amaravati to mark the first anniversary of Stree Shakti.
The scheme has recorded about 87 crore free journeys by women since its launch on August 15 last year.
Around 24 lakh women use the facility daily, up from 9.47 lakh before the scheme, and women's share of RTC passengers has risen from 40 per cent to 62 per cent.
The Andhra Pradesh government provides an average daily subsidy of Rs 8.53 crore, spending Rs 3,095 crore in the first year.
The scheme covers 7,631 of 9,978 APSRTC buses (76 per cent) across five bus categories, plus special services to temples, with occupancy at 93 per cent.
Beneficiaries shared monthly savings of about Rs 4,000 and Rs 1,500, and officials reported a decline in road accidents partly attributed to women shifting from unauthorised transport.
- Who
- Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and women beneficiaries of the Stree Shakti scheme, including fisherwoman Maila Veera Veni, Shaik Tabasum, student P Harshita and weaver Baddela Suseela.
- What
- The first anniversary of Stree Shakti, a free bus travel scheme for women, marked by Naidu riding an APSRTC bus with beneficiaries; about 87 crore journeys have been recorded.
- Where
- From the Parade Grounds in Amaravati to the Chief Minister's Camp Office in Undavalli village, Andhra Pradesh.
- When
- Saturday, August 15, 2026, the first anniversary of the scheme's launch on August 15 last year.
- Why
- The scheme aims to improve women's mobility for education, employment, healthcare, small-scale trading and religious visits by removing daily transport costs and supporting economic empowerment.
Supporters of the Stree Shakti scheme
Critics or skeptics of the scheme
Impact and value of the scheme
Supporters of the Stree Shakti scheme
The government says the scheme has transformed women's mobility, raised women's share of passengers from 40 per cent to 62 per cent, boosted occupancy to 93 per cent, helped women save money, and is linked to a decline in road accidents as women shift from unauthorised transport.
Critics or skeptics of the scheme
No critical perspective is presented in the articles, but the scheme costs the government a daily subsidy of Rs 8.53 crore and Rs 3,095 crore in its first year, a significant public expenditure that could raise questions about long-term fiscal sustainability.
Key facts
- Scheme
- Stree Shakti - free bus travel for women
- Launch date
- August 15 last year
- Total journeys in first year
- About 87 crore
- Daily users
- About 24 lakh women (up from 9.47 lakh)
- Government expenditure
- Rs 3,095 crore in first year (Rs 8.53 crore daily subsidy)
- Buses covered
- 7,631 of 9,978 APSRTC buses (76 per cent)
- Women's passenger share
- Rose from 40 per cent to 62 per cent
- Occupancy on covered buses
- 93 per cent
- Eligibility
- Women show Aadhaar card to travel anywhere in the state
Quotes
N Chandrababu Naidu
Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh
“We have created the facility for women to travel freely to various places. Women are able to save money through this (Stree Shakti) scheme.”
thehindubusinessline.com
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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