Women in Andhra Pradesh will soon travel for free on buses. How much will it cost the exchequer?
The scheme, which will be launched on August 15, is part of the Telugu Desam Party government's election 'Super Six' election guarantees, made ahead of the May 2024 election. Significantly, Telangana's Revanth Reddy scheme has also implemented a similar policy.
Under the Naidu government's new bus scheme, 'Zero Fare Tickets', will be issued to all women travelling on state road transport corporation, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said. The ticket will include details such as the route travelled, the amount of money saved per trip through the free service, and the full 100 percent subsidy the government provides.
Issuing Zero Fare Tickets would help women passengers clearly understand the benefit they are availing, the CM said. The CM also discussed financial aspects of the scheme in states with similar policies to understand how much it would cost, officials said, adding that the Naidu government is seeking more funds from the Centre while also exploring 'alternative revenue sources and reducing operational costs to become a profitable entity'.
According to Minister for Transport, Youth Affairs and Sports Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy, approximately 25 lakh women — a majority of them who travel for work including farm labour and daily wagers — will benefit from the scheme.
'Providing cost-free transportation increases their mobility, they can travel farther, and explore new opportunities,' he said. While the finer details of the scheme are still being worked out, sources say that luxury and premium segment bus services are likely to be excluded.
'He directed officials to come up with an action plan on the possible revenue-generating methods and the necessary policy changes. Simultaneously, the chief minister instructed officials to purchase only AC electric buses in the future. He noted that converting existing buses to electric buses would reduce maintenance costs and recommended that the required electricity be produced in-house,' one official said, adding that the chief minister 'emphasised the need to study the establishment of charging stations in all RTC depots across the state'.
The Andhra Pradesh RTC has a fleet of about 11,000 buses, of which over 70 per cent are non-AC regular buses. According to estimates, the scheme will cost over Rs 200 crore/month.
The scheme implemented by the neighbouring Telangana is estimated to cost the exchequer Rs 3,000 crore. In Telangana, the scheme is applicable to women, children, and transgender people.
This comes at a time when the Naidu government is pushing for securing more funds for various schemes and key developmental projects in the state.
Apart from the bus scheme, the TDP's `Super Six' guarantees promised three free LPG cylinders to eligible beneficiaries; Rs 3,000/month in unemployment allowance and Rs 15,000 for each school child; Rs 20,000 to farmers, and increasing social security pensions for people with disabilities.
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