Collector Sharanya Ari travelling in a ‘Vetri Payanam’ bus after inaugurating the scheme in Virudhunagar on Friday.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
A total of 235 town buses and 51 mofussil buses would be operated with ‘no fare’ free travel for women and transgenders in Virudhunagar district under the Vetri Payanam scheme.
This is an increase of 64 “no fare” buses to the fleet of 222 ordinary buses to be plied by TNSTC in Virudhunagar district.
After flagging off bus services under the new scheme at Virudhunagar New Bus stand on Friday, Virudhunagar Collector Sharanya Ari said that Vetri Payanam was one of the important women welfare scheme of the Tamil Nadu Government.
Under the scheme, 49 town buses and seven mofussil buses would be operated by Virudhunagar branch of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation. A total 37 town buses and nine mofussil buses by Sattur branch, 32 town buses and 14 mofussil buses by Aruppukottai branch, 30 town and nine mofussil buses by Sivakasi branch would be operated for the women.
Besides, 29 town buses and three mofussil buses by Srivilliputtur branch, 30 town buses by Rajapalayam-I branch, five mofussil buses by Rajapalayam-II branch, 18 town buses and four mofussil buses by Kariyapatti branch and 10 town buses by Watrap branch would be operated for the women passengers, the Collector said.
Ms. Sharanya said that already 222 ordinary buses were being operated without any fare for the women. Now, an additional 51 ordinary buses and 13 express buses would be operated.
She added that a total of 368 mofussil single services would be operated across the district every day.
This scheme will help women and transgenders to travel in those buses without any fare. The scheme would help economic development of women and also reduce the travel expenses for them.
Besides, it would give them easy access to bus service for education, employment and medical needs.
TNSTC Regional General Manager, Kannan, Assistant Manager (Commercial), Nagarajan and Deputy Director (DIPR), S. Thangavel, were present on the occasion.
Published – October 02, 2026 07:30 pm IST
