chief minister C Joseph Vijay launched the expanded “Vettri Payanam” scheme in Koyambedu, Chennai.
Madurai/Trichy: Women passengers can now travel free on 705 govt buses across Madurai region as Tamil Nadu expanded its zero-fare travel scheme to express, deluxe and mofussil services on Friday. Similarly, under the Kumbakonam TNSTC division, the free bus travel scheme for women and trans people was launched on an additional 712 mofussil buses. TNSTC Madurai has brought 665 town buses under the scheme, comprising 405 ordinary services already covered under the earlier programme, 64 express and 196 deluxe buses. Another 40 ordinary mofussil buses have been added. Statewide, the scheme now covers 12,695 buses operated by seven state transport corporations. It includes ordinary, express, limited-stop service and deluxe buses in cities and towns, ordinary mofussil services and ghat buses operating beyond 40 km.
The govt will reimburse the lost revenue to transport corporations. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Madurai | Silver Rate in Madurai | Bank Holidays in Madurai | Public Holidays in Madurai | Madurai AQI | Weather in Madurai | Petrol Price in Madurai | Diesel Price in Madurai | CNG Price in Madurai | LPG Price in Madurai Stay updated with the latest Madurai news.
Madurai district collector Nishant Krishna flagged off services at MGR bus stand, Mattuthavani, hours after chief minister C Joseph Vijay launched the expanded “Vettri Payanam” scheme in Koyambedu, Chennai. Routes covered include services between MGR bus stand and Periyar bus stand, besides connections towards Virudhunagar and Sengottai. In central districts, collectors and elected representatives flagged off the scheme. HR&CE minister S Ramesh flagged off the scheme and the associated mofussil buses at Chathiram bus stand in Trichy. In Thanjavur district, collector R Revathi flagged off the service in the presence of TNSTC Kumbakonam division managing director V Dhakshnamoorthy. The rollout has been deferred in Chengalpet and Tirupur districts as the model code of conduct is in force for the Madurantakam and Dharapuram byelections. Download the TOI App.
The expansion allows passengers who earlier depended on ordinary services for free travel to use other categories within urban areas and ordinary buses connecting towns and longer-distance destinations.