The Andhra Pradesh government is preparing to implement one of its major election commitments — free travel on RTC buses for women — from August 15. To prepare, officials are making arrangements for extra buses and fortifying logistics to make the launch of the scheme a smooth affair.
During his recent visit to Srisailam in Nandyal district for the Jalaharathi program, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu offered a major update. Sharing what he described as “good news for women”, the CM officially announced that from August 15, women will be able to travel free of cost in APSRTC buses — but the benefit is limited to travel within their respective districts. He made it clear that no ticket fare will be charged, and women won’t have to pay even a single rupee for these rides.
This declaration provides much-needed clarity in the backdrop of persistent rumors regarding the extent of the scheme. Previously, in Assembly sessions, the Tribal Welfare Minister had also made it clear that the free bus travel facility would be limited to district routes, allaying fears raised by opposition YSRCP leaders, who were in doubt if the advantage would be provided for the whole state.
Now with the Chief Minister also upholding the same stance, it is clear that the women in all 26 districts of Andhra Pradesh will have free travel on buses but only within district limits.
