Andhra Pradesh Launches ‘Stree-Shakti’ Scheme for Free Bus Travel

Hyderabad: In a noteworthy commitment to enhance public transportation accessibility, the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) is set to implement a groundbreaking initiative, allowing women and transgender individuals to travel without charge on state buses. This initiative will officially commence on August 15, as part of the government’s “Super Six” election pledges led by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.

Details of the ‘Stree-Shakti’ Scheme

Approved by the state cabinet, the ‘Stree-Shakti’ scheme is projected to incur an annual cost of approximately Rs 1,942 crore. This move follows similar initiatives in neighboring states, with Telangana having introduced the Mahalakshmi scheme in December 2023 and Karnataka launching a comparable program in June 2023.

Eligibility and Implementation

Under this initiative, eligible participants—specifically women and transgender individuals residing in Andhra Pradesh—can travel for free on designated APSRTC bus services. “Women, girls, and transgenders from the state will have the opportunity to travel at no cost from any location to any destination,” stated Kolusu Parthasarathy, the state’s Minister for Information & Public Relations and Housing, during an announcement in Amaravati.

The scheme will be applicable across five categories of state-run buses, including:

• PalleVelugu
• Ultra PalleVelugu
• City Ordinary
• Metro Express
• Express services

Commuters can avail themselves of this service by presenting either their Aadhaar card, voter ID, or ration card to the bus conductor.

Scope and Limitations

It is essential to note that the ‘Stree-Shakti’ scheme will not cover certain types of bus services, including non-stop interstate buses and premium categories such as Ultra Deluxe and Super Luxury. Additionally, contract carriage services, chartered services, and package tours will also be excluded from this initiative.

Impact and Expectations

Women constitute approximately 49.9% of Andhra Pradesh’s population, which stands at 5.25 crore. The government anticipates that the scheme will incentivize an additional 10.84 lakh women to utilize public transportation, supplementing the current 16.11 lakh women already relying on APSRTC services. The estimated monthly expenditure for the program is around Rs 162 crore.

Safety Measures and Future Plans

In addition to promoting free travel, the government is prioritizing the safety of women and girls. This includes equipping female bus conductors with body cameras and installing CCTV cameras in vehicles. Furthermore, improved facilities, such as fans and drinking water, will be provided at bus stations.

To meet the increased demand anticipated from this initiative, APSRTC is also planning to add over 4,000 electric buses to its fleet within the next two years, alongside the recruitment of additional drivers and mechanics.

(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)

Further Reading

For successful examples of similar schemes, see how initiatives in Karnataka are driving positive changes for women commuters.