Vettri Payanam: CM Vijay Expands Free Bus Scheme To 12,692 Buses
TAMIL NADU: Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay reviewed preparations for the expanded Vettri Payanam free bus scheme on Monday, September 21, ahead of its scheduled launch on October 2. The expanded programme will cover 12,692 buses operated by the state’s seven transport corporations, with the government estimating that around 84.32 lakh women could benefit each day.
The Vettri Payanam scheme will extend free travel beyond ordinary city services to Express, Limited Stop Service (LSS) and Deluxe buses in metropolitan and urban areas. It will also include ordinary mofussil buses and ghat services operating for longer distances in hill areas.
Vettri Payanam To Cover 69% Of Scheduled Buses
According to details released after the review meeting, Tamil Nadu has 18,413 scheduled buses operated by seven state transport corporations. Of these, 12,692 buses, or about 69%, will come under the expanded Vettri Payanam programme.
The government also said 85% of the scheduled single services will operate under the scheme. The expansion is intended to make free public transport available to women travelling for education, employment, healthcare and other essential needs.
The scheme was originally announced in the Assembly on August 24 under Rule 110. Vijay said there would be no income ceiling or restriction on the number of journeys for eligible beneficiaries. The expansion is scheduled to take effect on October 2.
Electronic Ticketing Preparations Completed
A key part of Monday’s review concerned the electronic ticketing system. According to the government release, the linking work for Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETMs) on buses covered by Vettri Payanam has been completed.
Testing and verification are scheduled to continue until September 25, followed by a trial run on September 27. The full rollout is planned for October 2.
The expansion follows the government’s earlier announcement that free travel would be extended to additional bus categories. The measure also covers transgender persons, according to the August announcement.
The move comes amid wider political changes in the state, with Vijay’s government continuing to implement its welfare commitments. His recent Assembly interventions have also included proposals on household support and transport, while earlier political clashes in the Assembly have highlighted the sharp contest between the TVK government and the DMK.
October 2 Launch Remains The Next Milestone
The expanded Vettri Payanam programme has not yet begun. October 2 remains the scheduled launch date, with the remaining testing and trial stages expected to determine operational readiness.
If implemented as announced, the expansion will substantially increase the number of government buses on which women can travel without paying fares. The government estimates that 84.32 lakh women will benefit daily once the wider coverage begins.
The review therefore marks a preparation stage rather than the formal start of the expanded scheme, with transport authorities working towards the October 2 rollout.
