Vetri Payana Thittam Launched: CM Vijay Gives Free Tickets — Know Which Buses Are Covered | Chennai-news News
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Tamil Nadu CM Vijay has launched the expanded Vetri Payanam scheme, allowing women and transgender passengers to travel free on 12,692 government buses across the state
With the October 2 rollout, the facility now covers a significantly larger share of Tamil Nadu’s government bus network, with the state government estimating that more than 84 lakh women will be able to use the expanded free-travel facility each day.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on October 2 launched the expanded Vetri Payanam scheme at Koyambedu in Chennai, allowing women, girl students and transgender passengers to travel free of cost on a wider range of government buses across the state.
The scheme, which came into effect on October 2, expands the existing free bus travel facility beyond ordinary city and town buses to include Express, Limited Stop Service (LSS), Deluxe, Mofussil Ordinary and eligible Ghat Ordinary services.
During the launch at Koyambedu, Vijay distributed zero-fare tickets to women passengers and interacted with commuters. Transport Minister A Vijay Thamizhan Parthiban was also present.
The Tamil Nadu government estimates that around 84.32 lakh women will benefit from the expanded scheme every day. A total of 12,692 government buses, accounting for around 69% of the scheduled fleet operated by the seven State Transport Corporations, have been brought under the scheme. These buses are expected to operate around 1,65,312 scheduled single trips every day.
Which Government Buses Are Covered Under Vetri Payanam?
Under the expanded scheme, eligible women and transgender passengers can travel free of cost on Metropolitan/Urban Ordinary, Express, LSS, Deluxe, Mofussil Ordinary and Hill Ordinary services covered under the programme.
The expansion means that the benefit is no longer restricted to ordinary city buses. Women can now use eligible longer-distance and higher-category government services as well, including Mofussil Ordinary buses and Hill Ordinary services operating beyond 40 km.
The government has said there is no income ceiling and no restriction on the number of journeys for eligible passengers.
ZERO Ticket Mandatory For Eligible Passengers
Passengers covered by the scheme will not have to pay the regular fare. Instead, a ZERO Ticket will be issued for every eligible journey.
For services other than Town Ordinary buses, conductors have been instructed to enter the passenger’s origin and destination details in the Electronic Ticketing Machine (ETM). The transport department has also directed corporations to ensure that the ETM and software systems are properly integrated with the scheme.
If an ETM fails, conductors have been instructed to issue a pre-printed or manual ZERO Ticket. Details such as the origin, destination, number of passengers, ticket or track number and date have to be recorded in the relevant waybill or ticket register.
The transport department has directed officials to ensure that eligible women and transgender passengers are not charged fares and that ZERO Tickets are issued compulsorily for qualifying journeys.
What If The Bus Crosses Into Another State?
The ZERO Ticket facility is subject to specific rules when a bus route passes through a neighbouring state or Union Territory.
If both the boarding and alighting points are within Tamil Nadu, an eligible passenger can continue to receive the concession even if the bus passes through another state or Union Territory in between.
However, if the passenger boards or gets off in a neighbouring state or Union Territory, a regular fare ticket must be issued for the relevant journey. The transport department has directed that the required facility be incorporated into the ETM and software systems.
Vetri Payanam Signboards On Buses
The transport department has also issued instructions on how buses covered under the scheme should be identified.
Government buses equipped with digital route boards have been instructed to display ‘Vetri Payanam’. Buses without digital boards must carry the approved Vetri Payanam sticker.
Drivers, conductors and inspectors have also been briefed on the ZERO Ticket process, passenger eligibility and complaint-handling procedures.
Drivers Told To Maintain Timings And Stop At Designated Bus Stops
The Standard Operating Procedures issued by the Transport Department also place emphasis on regular bus operations.
Drivers have been instructed to operate buses according to their designated routes and schedules and stop at designated bus stops, allowing sufficient time for passengers to board and alight safely.
Transport corporations have been directed to ensure that adequate drivers, conductors and replacement buses are available. Cancellations, route curtailments, diversions, late running and non-operation are to be avoided as far as possible, particularly during morning and evening peak hours and school, college and office timings.
The department has also directed officials to monitor services at major bus stands, educational institutions, industrial areas, hospitals and market areas and take corrective action if overcrowding, long waiting times, delays or other service deficiencies are reported.
Complaint Helpline 149 For Vetri Payanam Issues
Passengers can register complaints relating to the scheme through the common toll-free customer care number 149.
The complaints will be monitored at the transport corporation, zone and branch levels. The department has directed that complaints should be closed only after the designated nodal officer confirms the action taken.
Transport corporations have also been instructed to maintain records of ZERO Tickets issued, including manual tickets generated during ETM failures, for reporting and compensation purposes.
Chengalpattu And Tiruppur Excluded For Now
The Tamil Nadu government has clarified that the expanded scheme will not be implemented in Chengalpattu and Tiruppur districts for the time being, as the model code of conduct for by-elections is in force in these districts.
The scheme will be implemented there after completion of the election process, according to the government.
How The Scheme Has Been Expanded
The free bus travel programme was originally introduced during the previous DMK government as the Magalir Vidiyal Payanam scheme, under which women were allowed to travel free on eligible ordinary city and town government buses.
The present government announced the expansion as Vetri Payanam in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on August 24, saying the wider coverage would allow women to access workplaces, educational institutions, hospitals and other essential services without having to bear the cost of bus fares.
With the October 2 rollout, the facility now covers a significantly larger share of Tamil Nadu’s government bus network, with the state government estimating that more than 84 lakh women will be able to use the expanded free-travel facility each day.
Quick Answers
Ask News18The expanded scheme covers ordinary city and town buses as well as Express, Limited Stop Service (LSS), Deluxe, Mofussil Ordinary, and Hill Ordinary services operating beyond 40 km, encompassing 12,692 government buses.
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