Full Breakdown
Tamil Nadu Expands Free-Travel Scheme for Women and Transgender Passengers
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Launch of the Expanded Vettri Payanam Scheme
On Friday, October 2, 2026—coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti—Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay inaugurated the broadened “Vettri Payanam Thittam” at Chennai’s Koyambedu bus terminus. The ceremony featured the chief minister distributing free tickets to women passengers waiting on board. The rollout makes government-run buses free of charge for women and transgender persons across the state, subject to the scheme’s conditions.
Background and Expansion Details
The initiative builds on the five-year-old Magalir Vidiyal Payanam program, which originally limited no-fare travel to a narrower set of bus categories. The expanded version now includes ordinary, express, limited-stop (Limited Stop Service (LSS)), and deluxe services in cities and towns, ordinary services in mofussil areas, and ordinary Ghat-section buses operating beyond 40 km. According to the state government, the scheme is intended to remove transportation costs as a barrier to education, employment, and health access for women and transgender people.
Official Statements and Government Rationale
Transport Minister A. Vijay Tamilan Parthiban explained that the policy aims to support the economic empowerment of women and transgender persons by ensuring travel costs do not hinder their participation in education, work, or healthcare. He described the move as a “social revolution” that will promote equality and independence. Chief Minister Vijay framed the launch as an effort to honor principles of social justice and women’s empowerment, emphasizing that the scheme should enable greater participation in the state’s economy and society.
Conflicting Figures and Gaps
Sources differ on the exact number of buses covered. The *Times of India* and *The Hindu* report that 12,695 buses—about 69 % of the 18,413 state-run fleet—are included, while the *New Indian Express* cites 12,692 buses. All agree that roughly 84.32 lakh women are expected to benefit daily, with an estimated 1,68,500 single trips per day or 1,94,649 scheduled trips of which 1,65,312 (?85 %) will operate under the scheme. The annual fiscal impact is projected at approximately INR6,000 crore.
Anticipated Impact and Cost
By removing fare barriers for an estimated 8.4 million women each day, the government anticipates enhanced access to education, employment, and healthcare services, particularly in rural and hilly regions. The scheme’s cost of INR6,000 crore per year reflects the state’s commitment to subsidizing public transport as a tool for social inclusion, though the long-term fiscal sustainability remains to be evaluated.