Private bus operator challenges Tamil Nadu's free-travel scheme in court

A private bus operator from Erode has approached the Madras High Court challenging the constitutional validity of the 'Vettri Payanam' scheme, which provides free travel for women passengers on state-run buses in Tamil Nadu.

The petitioner contends that the scheme, implemented by the state government, creates an unequal playing field by restricting the no-fare benefit exclusively to government buses while imposing full fares on private operators. This differential treatment, the operator argues, places private bus services at a severe commercial disadvantage and threatens their operational sustainability.

The petition asserts that the policy's asymmetric application could force private bus operators across Tamil Nadu to cease operations due to inability to compete on pricing. The operator has urged the court to declare the scheme unconstitutional and requested relief from the competitive disadvantage created by the government's selective implementation.

The case highlights the broader tension between state welfare initiatives and private sector interests in public transportation. The court's decision will have significant implications for private bus operators operating in Tamil Nadu and may influence how the state balances social welfare objectives with commercial viability concerns in the transport sector.