In a resounding success, over 12 lakh women, girls, and transgender individuals have embraced Andhra Pradesh’s groundbreaking ‘Stree Shakti’ scheme, availing free bus travel within just 30 hours of its launch on August 15, 2025. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu unveiled the initiative at Vijayawada’s Pandit Nehru Bus Station, fulfilling a key promise under the TDP-led coalition’s ‘Super Six’ manifesto aimed at empowering women across the state.
The ‘Stree Shakti’ (Women’s Power) scheme offers free travel on select Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) bus services, including Pallevelugu, Ultra Pallevelugu, City Ordinary, Metro Express, and Express buses, to all girls, women, and transgender persons with Andhra Pradesh domicile status. The initiative, costing an estimated Rs 1,942 crore annually and Rs 162 crore monthly, has already saved beneficiaries approximately Rs 5 crore in travel expenses on its first day, according to official sources.
A Appala Raju, APSRTC’s Executive Director (Operations), reported that 76,000 beneficiaries utilized the service on day one, with ridership surging to 5 lakh by 3 PM on Saturday, totaling over 12 lakh in 30 hours. The monetary value of the 5 lakh zero-fare tickets issued by Saturday afternoon reached Rs 2.5 crore. “The response has been overwhelming, though the Janmashtami festival may have tempered participation,” Raju noted, anticipating a spike in usage on Monday, August 18, as working women join the commute.
Also Read: Andhra Launches Free Bus Travel for Women Under Stree Shakti!
Responding to public demand, Naidu directed officials to extend free travel to ghat routes, initially excluded due to concerns about overcrowding. This move ensures broader accessibility, particularly for women in hilly areas. The scheme’s inclusive design allows beneficiaries to present various identity proofs, such as Aadhaar cards, ration cards, or driving licenses, with APSRTC considering acceptance of Aadhaar photocopies and digital copies on mobile phones for added convenience.
The real-time, web-based ticketing system ensures seamless tracking of zero-fare tickets, with APSRTC set to recover costs through state government reimbursements. Chief Minister Naidu, closely monitoring the scheme’s rollout, has emphasized its role in reducing household financial burdens, estimating that women save Rs 1,000–3,000 monthly on transport. “This is a transformative step for women’s mobility, education, and employment,” said a government official, highlighting the scheme’s social and economic impact.
Across Andhra Pradesh, beneficiaries have hailed ‘Stree Shakti’ as a game-changer. “I save Rs 1,500 a month on my commute. This is a huge relief,” said Kinjarapu Jayanthi Reddy, a Vijayawada-based daily commuter. With an expected 2.62 crore eligible women, the scheme is poised to reshape public transport dynamics, fostering empowerment and accessibility statewide.
Also Read: Andhra CM’s Bold Plan to Uplift Tribal Areas