Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Tamil Nadu Expands Women’s Free Bus Scheme on October 2
Tamil Nadu plans to let women ride free on more government buses starting October 2.
The programme is called Vettri Payanam and was earlier called Vidiyal Payanam.
It will include buses such as Express, Deluxe and several ordinary services.
The articles differ on whether the 40-kilometre limit applies to all expanded services, with one describing travel up to 40 kilometres and another mentioning some services operating beyond 40 kilometres.
About 12,692 buses will be included.
The government expects nearly 84.32 lakh women to benefit.
The scheme is meant to help women travel to work, schools, hospitals and other places without paying bus fares.
Officials will test the ticketing system and conduct a trial before the full launch.
Tamil Nadu will expand its free bus travel programme for women statewide on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti.
The renamed Vettri Payanam scheme will extend beyond ordinary town buses to additional government bus categories.
The covered services include Express, Limited Stop Service, Deluxe, Mofussil Ordinary and Ghat Ordinary buses.
The programme will cover 12,692 designated buses and is expected to benefit nearly 84.32 lakh women.
System testing is due by September 25, followed by a trial run on September 27 before launch.
- Who
- The Tamil Nadu government, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, transport officials and women passengers.
- What
- Tamil Nadu is expanding its free bus travel programme for women under the renamed Vettri Payanam scheme.
- When
- The statewide launch is scheduled for October 2; system verification is expected by September 25 and a trial run is scheduled for September 27.
- Where
- Across Tamil Nadu, with preparations reviewed at the Secretariat in Chennai.
- Why
- To improve women’s access to work, education, healthcare and other daily needs while reducing transport expenses.
- Launch date
- October 2, Gandhi Jayanti
- Programme name
- Vettri Payanam; previously called Vidiyal Payanam
- Buses covered
- 12,692 designated government buses
- Estimated beneficiaries
- Nearly 84.32 lakh women
- Additional services
- Express, Limited Stop Service, Deluxe, Mofussil Ordinary and Ghat Ordinary buses
- Testing schedule
- System testing and verification by September 25, followed by a trial run on September 27
- Fleet and operations
- The designated buses represent 69% of the seven State Transport Corporations’ fleet and are scheduled for 1,65,312 single trips daily
