Tamil Nadu CM Vijay launches Vettri Payanam scheme, expanding no-fare bus travel for women
CM Vijay kickstarted the scheme by issuing free tickets to women passengers at the Koyambedu bus terminus
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay launched the 'Vettri Payanam' scheme on October 2, 2026, with the aim of expanding no-fare bus travel for women and transgender persons. The scheme, which coincides with Gandhi Jayanthi, will provide free travel in Ordinary, Express, Limited Stop Service (LSS), and Deluxe buses for women in cities and towns, Ordinary buses in mofussil areas, and Ordinary buses in Ghat sections over 40 km.
The expanded scheme benefits 84.32 lakh beneficiaries daily and covers 12,695 buses under the seven State Transport Corporations, with 1,68,500 trips operated. However, the scheme will not be implemented in Chengalpattu and Tiruppur districts due to bypolls in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies.
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