Autorickshaws waiting for passengers near the Vijayawada city bus stand on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: G.N. RAO
A day after the launch of ‘Stree Shakti’, the free bus travel scheme for women and transgender persons, on August 15, over 8.87 lakh passengers availed of the facility across the State on Saturday (August 16).
As per information provided by A.P. State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Ch. Dwaraka Tirumala Rao, while Friday saw a slow start as the scheme was launched in the evening, the numbers saw an spike on Saturday.
On Friday, 75,906 women availed of the scheme and the earnings for the corporation from zero-fare tickets stood at around ₹28 lakh. Between 12 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday, 16.29 lakh people, of all genders, travelled on the five categories of buses. Of them, 8.87 lakh were women availing of the scheme. Earnings from zero-fare tickets till 6 p.m. on Saturday stood at ₹368.81 lakh.
Under the scheme, women would be allowed to travel free of charge in five categories of buses — Palle Velugu, Ultra Palle Velugu, City Ordinary, Express and Metro Express services.
Asked if the response met their expectations, Mr. Dwarka Tirumala Rao said that while fewer women than what they had expected made use of the scheme on the first two days, it could be because of the holidays. “We think the numbers will go up from Monday,” the MD said.
Meanwhile, launch of the scheme has left many autorickshaw drivers apprehensive about their future. “While it is a relief that the scheme is applicable only to five categories of buses, the autorickshaw drivers will still face financial losses,” said A.P. Pragatisheela Auto Motor Workers’ Federation general secretary D. Srinivasa Rao.
He said share autorickshaw drivers would bear the brunt. He estimated that they will incur a 60-70% loss due to the introduction of the scheme. However, he said the full impact would be known only next week.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao said the scheme would sound a death knell for autorickshaw drivers, who were already facing stiff competition from ride-hailing apps such as Uber, Rapido, Ola, and requested the government to come to their rescue. The federation held a press meet on Saturday in Vijayawada to discuss their demands.
Published – August 16, 2025 10:12 pm IST
