Latest news with #StreeShaktiScheme
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Stree Shakti is likely to cause Rs 2,000 crore loss to RTC per year
VIJAYAWADA: The state-run Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) is expected to suffer a revenue loss of over Rs 2,000 crore in ticket revenue if the 'Free Bus Travel' scheme for women under the Stree Shakti Scheme is implemented. According to APSRTC Vice Chairman and Managing Director (VC & MD) Ch Dwaraka Tirumala Rao, the corporation is set to incur an estimated annual loss of Rs 2,000 crore, or Rs 165 crore per month. However, the State government has agreed to reimburse the lost revenue to the corporation based on zero-fare ticket claims. The State government has issued directives to implement the Free Bus Travel scheme for women under the Stree Shakti Scheme starting from August 15. The scheme was promised by the TDP during the elections last year. According to the order issued by Principal Secretary (Transport) Kantilal Dande, the scheme will be implemented in five categories across the state, and beneficiaries can avail free bus travel by displaying identity cards. Speaking to TNIE, Dwaraka Tirumala Rao said the scheme is being implemented as promised by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu during the elections. Women will be allowed to travel for free in five bus services, including Pallevelugu, Ultra Pallevelugu, city buses, Express, and Metro Express services, across the state from August 15. Rao explained that a group of ministers committee has formulated the scheme after observing similar schemes implemented in other states such as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and Delhi. 'There are no hidden regulations in the scheme,' he said. 'As CM Naidu promised, women can travel for free across the state in all five bus products or services mentioned in the directives.' The scheme will be implemented in 8,458 buses of five bus categories, which account for 74% of the fleet. Training programs have been conducted for conductors and bus drivers on ticketing patterns. All girls, women, and transgenders with domicile status in Andhra Pradesh, subject to the production of valid identity proof, are beneficiaries of the scheme.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Under Stree Shakti Scheme, free travel facility for women in five categories of buses from Aug 15
Vijayawada: The state government on Monday issued G.O. for 'Stree Shakti Scheme' under which free bus travel for women will be provided for women from August 15 in five categories of buses of the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) and AP Public Transport Department (APPTD) across the state. Kantilal Dande, Principal Secretary, Transport, Roads & Buildings Department, issued the orders in this regard. He instructed the Commissioner, Public Transport Department, and Managing Director, APSRTC, Vijayawada to take immediate further action for effective implementation of the 'Stree Shakti Scheme' accordingly. As per the G.O. No. 27, all girls, women and transgender individuals domiciled in Andhra Pradesh, subject to the production of valid identity proof, will be the beneficiaries of the scheme. The government has declared that the scheme would be launched with the existing fleet; and, depending on the requirement and response. New additional buses would be procured and introduced for the convenience of passengers, it said. The scheme will be implemented only in certain types of services i.e. Pallevelugu, Ultra Pallevelugu, City Ordinary, Metro Express and Express services. The scheme is not applicable to all non-stop services, interstate services of any category and contract carriage services, chartered services and package tours. The order stated that the scheme is not applicable to Saptagiri Express, Ultra Deluxe, Super Luxury, Star Liner and all AC products. The eligible women are permitted to travel in enclave route services for free. The state government shall reimburse the expenditure to APSRTC based on the claim of zero fare tickets. Security of the women passengers shall be a priority. Towards this end, the authorities may consider the supply of body-worn cameras to all women conductors and installation of CC cameras. Public amenities like provision of fans, chairs, drinking water and toilet facilities will be improved in all bus stations. Recently, the state Cabinet gave its nod for implementation of the scheme. Free travel facility for women in APSRTC buses is one of the election promises of the coalition parties and women are eagerly waiting for its implementation in the state.
