Tamil Nadu Converts 340 Government Buses to Ordinary Fare, Reducing Ticket Costs for Men

The Tamil Nadu government has converted 340 express and deluxe suburban buses operating in various districts to ordinary-fare services under the expanded women`s free bus travel scheme, known as the Vidiyal Payanam scheme. As a result, male passengers travelling on these buses are paying up to ₹15 less in ticket fares.

Increased Passenger Footfall

Under the scheme, women can travel free of charge on ordinary and deluxe buses operating within cities and towns, as well as eligible ordinary suburban and hill-area buses. The expansion has increased the number of women passengers travelling on deluxe city buses in Chennai and ordinary suburban buses in other districts.

To help passengers identify eligible buses, the vehicles display “Vidiyal Payanam” stickers and digital signboards.

How Have Ticket Fares Decreased?

According to transport department officials, women are permitted to travel free of charge on 12,695 buses, including express and deluxe city buses, ordinary suburban buses and ordinary hill-area buses operating on routes exceeding 40 kilometres.

The scheme includes 2,390 ordinary suburban buses operating between districts and major towns. Before the expansion, 2,050 buses were operating under this category.

Now, 340 express and deluxe suburban buses have been converted to ordinary-fare services. Consequently, male passengers travelling on these buses benefit from fare reductions of ₹10 to ₹15, depending on the distance travelled.