Andhra CM Naidu Marks One Year of Free Bus Scheme For Women

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday travelled on an APSRTC bus with women beneficiaries as the state’s Stree Shakti free travel scheme completed one year. Launched on August 15, 2025, the scheme provides free bus travel for women, girls and transgender residents across Andhra Pradesh. Naidu boarded a Palle Velugu bus from the venue of the Independence Day celebrations in Amaravati and interacted with beneficiaries during the journey.

During the bus ride, the Chief Minister spoke to several women and asked about their families, incomes, health and other aspects of their lives. Later, he hosted high tea for the beneficiaries at his camp office in Undavalli village. Naidu said the scheme had enabled women to travel freely to different places while helping them save money on transportation. He also encouraged beneficiaries to learn about other government welfare programmes and said efforts were being made to support highly backward families.

According to an Andhra Pradesh government press release, an average of 24 lakh women use the Stree Shakti scheme every day, while more than 87 crore journeys have been recorded since its launch. The state government is spending around Rs 8.53 crore each day as a subsidy for the scheme, with total expenditure reaching Rs 3,095 crore during its first year. The initiative has become a major public transport measure aimed at reducing travel costs and improving mobility for women across the state.

Also Read: CM Chandrababu Naidu Asks MPs To Highlight State Issues In Parliament

The scheme operates across five categories of APSRTC buses, including Express, Ultra Pallevelugu, Pallevelugu, Metro Express and City Ordinary services. Around 76 per cent of APSRTC's total fleet of 9,978 buses is being utilised for the programme. The free travel facility has also been extended to women using special bus services operated for temple visits, expanding the scheme's reach beyond regular public transport routes.

Government data indicates a significant rise in women's participation in APSRTC services since the scheme was introduced. Women accounted for around 40 per cent of the corporation's passengers before the programme began, but their share has since increased to 62 per cent. Daily women passengers have risen from 9.47 lakh to 24 lakh, while occupancy on buses covered by the scheme has reached 93 per cent, according to the state government.

The government said women can use the facility to travel anywhere within Andhra Pradesh by showing their Aadhaar card. During his interaction with beneficiaries, Naidu also urged people not to be influenced by inducements during elections and highlighted the growing economic and social contribution of women. The first anniversary of Stree Shakti comes as the state government points to the sharp increase in women's bus ridership and the savings generated for beneficiaries as key outcomes of the initiative.

Also Read: Putin To Kim: Russia, North Korea ‘Actively Cooperating In All Sectors’