Tamil Nadu CM Vijay launches ‘Vettri Payanam’, expanding no-fare bus travel for women and transgender persons
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Friday, October 2, 2026, launched the Vettri Payanam scheme at the Koyambedu bus terminus in Chennai, expanding no-fare bus travel for women and transgender persons across the State. Coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti, the Chief Minister marked the rollout by riding a bus with women passengers and issuing free tickets on board.
Expanded coverage and daily reach
According to the government, the Vettri Payanam scheme will benefit an estimated 84.32 lakh people every day. The initiative builds on the five-year-old Magalir Vidiyal Payanam scheme, widening the categories of services in which women can travel without paying a fare.
Under the expanded eligibility, women can undertake no-fare travel in Ordinary, Express, Limited Stop Service (LSS), and Deluxe buses operating in cities and towns; Ordinary buses in mofussil areas; and Ordinary buses in Ghat sections beyond 40 km.
Operational scale
A total of 12,695 buses operated by the seven State Transport Corporations have been brought under Vettri Payanam. As part of the rollout, 1,68,500 single trips will be operated, significantly increasing access to public transport for eligible commuters. The expansion is intended to support girl students commuting to colleges, women and transgender persons traveling to workplaces, and those rushing for medical needs.
Scenes from the launch
At Koyambedu, commuters witnessed the Chief Minister personally issuing tickets and interacting with passengers. “It was pretty surreal and exciting to see the Chief Minister issue tickets to passengers,” said S. Malar, a Chennai resident who was on board one of the buses during the launch. K. Abhirami, a resident of Tiruvallur, welcomed the expansion. “I had the opportunity to even take a photograph with him (Mr. Vijay),” she said.
Bypoll-related restrictions
The government clarified that the scheme will not be implemented in Chengalpattu and Tiruppur districts for now, due to bypolls in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies where the Model Code of Conduct is in force.
Legislative announcement and officials present
Mr. Vijay announced the expanded scheme on August 24 under Rule No. 110 in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. Senior officials and political leaders present at the launch included Transport Minister A. Vijay Tamilan Parthiban, Government Chief Whip R. Sabarinathan, Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar, Transport Secretary L. Nirmal Raj, and V. P. Jeyaseelan, Managing Director of the Metropolitan Transport Corporation.
Significance
By widening the categories of buses eligible for no-fare travel and bringing thousands of services under its ambit, Vettri Payanam is set to broaden mobility for women and transgender persons across Tamil Nadu. The move aims to ease daily commutes, reduce transport costs for households, and support access to education, employment and essential services.
