Starting August 15, women in Andhra Pradesh will be able to travel for free on Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) buses. This initiative aims to make travel easier for women and was approved by the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet during a meeting led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. The scheme is part of the coalition government’s “Super Six” promises and is called “Stri Shakti.” It will be officially launched on Independence Day. The program is expected to cost around Rs 162 crore each month, totaling about Rs 1,942 crore annually, and will benefit approximately 26.95 lakh women daily in the state.
Under this initiative, women, girls, and transgender individuals from the state can travel without charge across the entire bus network. This includes services like Palle Velugu, Ultra Palle Velugu, City Ordinary, Express, and Metro Express. To utilize this scheme, women are required to present valid identification, such as an Aadhaar card, voter ID, or ration card.
Women In Andhra Pradesh Will Have Access To Approx 6,700 Buses Under This New Scheme
One must also note that this scheme does not extend to non-stop interstate services, nor does it cover contract carriage services, chartered services, or package tours. However, women will have access to approximately 6,700 buses, representing around 74% of the total fleet operated by APSRTC. Additionally, this year, plans are in place to acquire 3,000 new electric buses, with an intention to add another 1,400 electric buses over the next two years.
The government highlighted the importance of women’s safety while using bus services. To enhance security, they plan to equip female conductors with body cameras and install CCTV cameras on the buses.
Which Other States Have Free Bus Rides For Women
In celebration of Raksha Bandhan 2025 on August 9, several states in India are offering complimentary bus rides for women. Uttar Pradesh will provide free travel from August 8 to 10 on Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) and city buses, while Haryana offers free rides for women and children under 15 from noon on August 8 to midnight on August 9.
Rajasthan extends free travel on state-run buses for August 9 and 10. Madhya Pradesh allows free city rides on August 9, plus cash benefits for eligible women. Uttarakhand continues its tradition, and Punjab, Karnataka, and Delhi have year-round free travel for women.
