Zero-fare ticket to show actual fare
The free travel facility will be available on Pallevelugu, Ultra Pallevelugu, and Express buses. However, the scheme will not be valid for travel on certain services, including Ultra Deluxe, Super Luxury, Star Liner, Saptagiri, and all AC buses. Furthermore, non-stop services, special buses, and interstate routes are also excluded. This means that women, girls, and transgender individuals will not be able to travel for free on non-stop routes such as Rajahmundry-Kakinada, Kakinada-Amalapuram, and Kakinada-Visakhapatnam.
In the current East Godavari district, a total of 205 RTC-owned and 78 hired buses are in operation across four depots: Rajahmundravaram, Kovvur, Nidadavolu, and Gokavaram. Of these, 37 Express, 27 Ultra Pallevelugu, and 167 Pallevelugu buses will be part of the 'Stree Shakti' scheme. In Rajamahendravaram, 22 Express, 15 Ultra Pallevelugu, and 64 Pallevelugu buses, in Gokavaram 14 Express, 12 Ultra Pallevelugu, and 30 Pallevelugu buses, in Kovvur 1 Express and 42 Pallevelugu buses, in Nidadavole 31 Pallevelugu buses are coming under this scheme.
To ensure smooth implementation, the RTC has equipped its ticket machines (TIMS) with a new 'Women Free Ticket' (WFT) button. Conductors will press this button to issue a zero-fare ticket to eligible passengers. The printed ticket will display the actual fare amount, a corresponding government subsidy, and a final ticket charge of zero. According to RTC officials, this will allow passengers to see the exact benefit they are receiving from the government. All girls, women, and transgender individuals, regardless of age, can avail themselves of the free travel by showing a valid ID card to the bus crew. YSN Murthy, the Public Transport Officer for East Godavari district, stated that RTC staff have already received training and guidance on the new ticketing process and regulations. He added that a meeting of public transport officers from all districts was held in Vijayawada on Monday to finalise the implementation plan. The exact time the scheme will become effective on August 15 is still pending further orders.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
13 hours ago
- News18
Bus Travel For Women: Is Aadhaar Card Mandatory To Ride For Free?
1/6 A free bus scheme has been launched in Andhra Pradesh. The Chief Minister, Chandrababu Naidu, has introduced this initiative under the name Stree Shakti, allowing women to travel by bus free of charge. However, women wishing to take advantage of this scheme should be aware of certain important details and may have some questions. Let us address these concerns. A similar free bus scheme is already in operation in Telangana, and now Andhra Pradesh has followed suit. To travel without charge, women must present one of the following forms of identification: Aadhaar card, voter ID, or ration card. It is crucial to note that only the original Aadhaar card, voter ID, or ration card is accepted for free travel. Photocopies or photographs of the Aadhaar card on a mobile phone are not valid, as photocopies can be tampered with and digital images are not deemed reliable. Therefore, women must carry the physical original Aadhaar card. Moreover, downloading a digital Aadhaar card from the UIDAI website onto a smartphone may not always be practical due to possible server congestion, internet issues, or the requirement for a one-time password (OTP) linked to the mobile number registered with the Aadhaar. Hence, having the original Aadhaar card at hand is essential for free travel. Women should also ensure that the address on their Aadhaar card is registered in Andhra Pradesh; those with a Telangana address will be required to purchase a ticket. It is equally important that the photograph on the Aadhaar card is up to date, as significant differences in appearance may lead to complications.
Hans India
17 hours ago
- Hans India
186 buses earmarked for free travel by women
Rajamahendravaram: The free bus travel scheme for women was launched in East Godavari district by the Tourism, Culture and Cinematography Minister Kandula Durgesh on Friday. The inaugural event was conducted at the RTC complex in Rajamahendravaram. Following the launch, Minister Durgesh, accompanied by officials and other public representatives, embarked on a bus ride to interact with female passengers. He presented the first 'zero-fare' ticket to a traveller. The Minister explained that to avail of the free travel, girls, women, and transgender people must present a valid government-issued ID such as an Aadhaar card or Voter ID. Approximately 186 buses have been designated for the scheme in East Godavari district, and they are expected to cover over 56,000 km daily. The scheme is applicable to five types of buses: Palle Velugu, Ultra Palle Velugu, city ordinary, Metro Express, and Express. Free travel is also extended to AP Enclave buses going to neighbouring States, a measure intended to assist residents of border villages who frequently travel to Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Odisha and Telangana. The Minister highlighted the inclusion of transgender people in the scheme as a 'revolutionary' step, aimed at providing support to a community that often faces social neglect. Minister Durgesh emphasised that the coalition government is committed to delivering its promises. He mentioned that in addition to free bus travel, plans are underway to provide a monthly allowance of Rs 1,500 to women and unemployment benefits to youth. He also pointed out that other pledges, such as the increase in NTR Bharosa pensions, free gas cylinders through the Deepam 2 programme, and the release of pending paddy dues from the previous administration, have already been implemented. The Minister concluded by asserting that the government's focus is on public welfare and that the recent by-election results in Pulivendula and Ontimitta prove there is no significant Opposition in the State. The inauguration event saw the participation of several dignitaries, including District Collector P Prasanthi, State Settibalija Corporation Chairman Kudupudi Sattibabu, RUDA Chairman Boddu Venkataramana, MLC Somu Veerraju, MLAs Adireddy Srinivas, Gorantla Butchaiah Chowdary, Balarama Krishna, Nallamilli Ramakrishna Reddy and others.
Hans India
17 hours ago
- Hans India
Women can save up to Rs 2,000 on free travel: MLA
Guntur: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has introduced the 'Stree Sakti' free bus travel scheme for the empowerment of women across the State, said MLA Galla Madhavi while launching the scheme at the NTR Bus Station in Guntur city on Friday. 'Poor women traveling between villages and towns earn around Rs 10,000 per month, but have to spend nearly Rs 2,000 just on travel expenses. With this scheme introduced by CM Naidu that burden is reduced, providing not only financial relief but also mental comfort. This is not just a transportation facility—it is the beginning of a social revolution,' she said. She explained that under the NDA government's initiative, women will be able to travel free of cost in five categories of APSRTC buses—Palle Velugu, Ultra Palle Velugu, City Ordinary, Express, and Metro Express. She described the move as a historic decision. MLA Madhavi said this comes in addition to other welfare measures such as free LPG cylinders and the Talliki Vandanam scheme.
