Tamil Nadu expands free bus travel for women to more bus categories from Oct 2

The Tamil Nadu government has decided to expand its free bus travel scheme for women to more categories of state-run buses, with the expanded facility effective from October 2. The announcement was made in the Assembly under Rule 110 by Chief Minister S Joseph Vijay.

Under the first phase, women will be allowed to travel free of cost on express, LSS and deluxe government buses operating in cities and urban areas. The benefit will also be extended to ordinary-fare government buses operating on mofussil and hill routes, enabling women to undertake inter-district journeys without paying fares.

Chief Minister Vijay said that the scheme carries no income cap or trip limits and fully includes the transgender community. The expansion will entail an annual expenditure, though the specific figure was not disclosed in the announcement.