- Provides free bus travel for women and transgender persons in eligible government-operated bus services.
- Covers Express, LSS and Deluxe buses in metropolitan and urban areas, along with ordinary-fare buses in mofussil and hill areas.
- Offers the benefit without any income limit or restriction on the number of journeys.
Tamil Nadu Vetri Payanam Thittam: Free Bus Travel for Women and Transgender Persons, Now on Express and Deluxe Buses
Tamil Nadu has widened its free bus travel for women. Under the expanded Vetri Payanam Thittam, women and transgender persons can travel free on Express, LSS and Deluxe buses in metropolitan and urban areas, and on ordinary-fare buses in mofussil and hill areas. There is no application, no income limit and no cap on journeys.
It’s already running. The expanded facility became operational on 2 October 2026. You don’t register for anything. You board a covered bus and take a zero-value ticket.
What is the scheme?
Vetri Payanam, also called the Magalir Payanam scheme, is a public transport welfare initiative of the Tamil Nadu Government. It aims to cut daily travel costs and make it easier to reach work, school, hospitals and markets.
It isn’t a brand-new scheme. Free bus travel for women has run since 2021 as Vidiyal Payanam Thittam, mostly on ordinary-fare buses. Vetri Payanam expands that facility to more bus categories and extends the expanded benefit to transgender persons.
Scheme at a glance
| Benefit | Free bus travel (zero-value ticket) |
| Who benefits | Women and transgender persons |
| Launch of expanded facility | 2 October 2026 |
| Buses covered | 12,695 government buses of the seven State Transport Corporations |
| Daily single trips | About 1,68,500 |
| Expected daily beneficiaries | About 84.32 lakh women |
| Application | None required |
| Income limit | None |
| Contact details | Not currently available |
Which buses are covered?
Newly covered
- Express, LSS (Limited Stop Service) and Deluxe buses in metropolitan and urban areas
- Mofussil Ordinary buses, including eligible inter-district services
- Ghat Ordinary buses on hill routes beyond 40 km
Already covered
- City ordinary buses of the seven State Transport Corporations
- Hill-area ordinary buses up to 40 km
Only government-operated bus services notified under the scheme qualify. Private buses aren’t mentioned in the source as covered.
Numbers behind the expansion
| Total scheduled buses (seven corporations) | 18,413 |
| Buses under Vetri Payanam | 12,695 |
| Total scheduled single trips | 1,94,649 |
| Trips under the scheme | 1,68,500 |
What changed from Vidiyal Payanam?
| Feature | Vidiyal Payanam | Vetri Payanam |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Eligible city ordinary buses | 12,695 buses under the expanded facility |
| Express, LSS, Deluxe | Not covered | Covered in metropolitan and urban areas |
| Hill areas | Ordinary buses up to 40 km | Extended to Ghat Ordinary buses beyond 40 km |
| Inter-district | Mofussil buses not covered | Mofussil Ordinary buses covered |
| Journey limit | Within eligible services | No restriction on journeys |
Who is eligible?
- Women travelling in covered government bus services
- Transgender persons, who are included in the expanded facility
- No income limit and no limit on the number of journeys
- No separate residence or domicile condition has been notified
How to use it
There’s no online or offline application.
- Board a government bus covered under the scheme.
- Tell the conductor you’re travelling under the free travel facility.
- Show valid ID if the conductor asks. Aadhaar, Voter ID, any government photo ID, or a school or college ID card for students are commonly used.
- Collect the zero-value (₹0) ticket.
- Keep it until the end of your journey.
No official document checklist has been released, so the ID list above reflects what is commonly used under the existing arrangement.
Related schemes
- Free Bus Pass Scheme for students: a separate scheme for eligible school and college students
- Annapoorani Super Six Scheme: announced alongside the expansion, to give financial assistance towards cooking gas cylinders
Need help?
The source says contact details for the scheme are currently unavailable. Ask the conductor or your local State Transport Corporation depot, and watch official Tamil Nadu Government announcements.
Frequently asked questions
When did the expanded scheme start?
On 2 October 2026.
Do I need to apply?
No.
Do women need to buy tickets?
No. You collect a zero-value ticket from the conductor.
Is there an income limit?
No.
Is it a new scheme?
No. It expands the Vidiyal Payanam Thittam, running since 2021.
How many buses are covered?
12,695.
- Vetri Payanam Thittam Scheme Contact Details are currently unavailable.
|
Summary of the Scheme
|
|
|---|---|
| Name of Scheme | Tamil Nadu Vetri Payanam Thittam |
| Launch Date | 2 October 2026 |
| Benefits | Free bus travel facility |
| Beneficiary | Women residents of Tamil Nadu |
| Subscription | Subscribe here to get Update Regarding Scheme |
| Mode of Apply | Beneficiaries are not required to apply. |