Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu Launches Free Bus Travel Scheme for Women

Amaravati, Aug 15 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is set to inaugurate the ‘Stree Shakti’ scheme, which offers free bus travel to women, on Friday at the Pandit Nehru Bus Station in Vijayawada. The launch will see the presence of NDA alliance leaders.

Under ‘Stree Shakti’, girls, women, and transgender individuals residing in Andhra Pradesh can travel statewide free of cost.

"On Independence Day, women will experience relief from travel expenses under the new Stree Shakti scheme, which allows free travel on APSRTC buses starting August 15," stated an official press release.

This initiative lets beneficiaries travel across the state using five APSRTC bus service categories: Pallevelugu, Ultra Pallevelugu, City Ordinary, Metro Express, and Express services.

Approximately 2.62 crore women are expected to benefit from the scheme. Out of APSRTC’s total bus fleet of 11,449, 74% will be available for free travel by women, girls, and transgender persons.

According to the TDP-led NDA government, the ‘Stree Shakti’ scheme aims to reduce women’s travel expenses significantly. Women typically travel by bus four times a week on average, and this scheme could save them up to Rs 3,000 a month.

The cost to implement the ‘Stree Shakti’ scheme is estimated at Rs 1,942 crore annually and Rs 162 crore monthly. APSRTC will provide zero-fare tickets to women so the government can reimburse the costs.

To benefit from the ‘Stree Shakti’ scheme, passengers must be residents of Andhra Pradesh and present identity proof such as a voter ID, Aadhaar card, ration card, or driving license to bus conductors.

However, this scheme does not apply to non-stop, super luxury, air-conditioned buses, or services on ghat roads.

The free bus travel scheme for women is part of Naidu’s "Super Six" promises leading up to the 2024 elections.

The Super Six promises also include Rs 1,500 monthly aid for every woman aged 19 to 59, 20 lakh jobs for youth or a Rs 3,000 monthly unemployment allowance, and free bus travel for women.

Other promises include Rs 15,000 annual support for each school-going child (Talliki Vandanam), three free gas cylinders for every household (Deepam - 2), and Rs 20,000 annual financial assistance for every farmer (Annadata Sukhibhava)."

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