Tamil Nadu CM Vijay launches free bus scheme for women commuters

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin launched the Vettri Payanam scheme on Wednesday, furthering the state government's commitment to providing free public transport for women passengers. The programme was formally inaugurated at the Koyambedu bus terminus in Chennai, where the Chief Minister distributed complimentary tickets to women commuters, symbolizing the scheme's implementation.

The Vettri Payanam scheme extends the state's existing free bus travel initiative for women, building on earlier programmes aimed at improving accessibility and reducing transportation costs for female passengers across Tamil Nadu. The expansion marks a significant step in the government's social welfare agenda prioritizing women's mobility and economic participation.

Under the scheme, eligible women passengers will be able to travel on state-run buses without purchasing tickets, reducing household expenditure on daily commuting. The initiative is expected to benefit a substantial portion of the state's population, particularly working women and students who depend on public transport for their daily mobility needs.

The launch at Koyambedu, one of Chennai's major bus terminals, underscores the scheme's city-wide implementation and signals plans for rollout across other regions of Tamil Nadu. The programme represents the state government's continued focus on gender-inclusive public policy and strengthening public transportation infrastructure.