CM Vijay launches expanded free bus travel for women on Gandhi Jayanti
The expanded Vetri Payanam scheme brings free travel to 12,692 state buses, including Express, LSS and Deluxe services, from 2 October. An estimated 8.4 million women and transgenders stand to benefit daily, with no income cap or journey limit.
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay will formally launch the expanded Vetri Payanam scheme on 2 October, Gandhi Jayanti, at Chennai's Koyambedu bus terminus, extending free bus travel for women and transgender persons far beyond the ordinary city buses covered so far.
From Friday, free travel will be available on 12,692 state-run buses, taking in Express, Limited Stop Service (LSS) and Deluxe services in municipal and town areas as well as Mofussil Ordinary and Ghat Ordinary buses on hill routes. The state estimates that about 8.4 million women could benefit every day, with over 1.6 million one-way journeys facilitated daily. There is no income limit and no cap on the number of journeys.
The free travel programme was first introduced under the previous DMK administration; the present government has rebranded it as Vetri Payanam — the "victorious journey" — and widened the categories of services eligible. Choosing Gandhi Jayanti for the launch lends the expansion a symbolic civic dimension.
Officials say the move upholds principles of social justice by removing financial barriers to mobility for work, education and healthcare. Questions remain on journey limits for long-distance services and inter-city eligibility, which are expected to be clarified at the launch.
Sources
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