Women ridership increased to 65% under free bus scheme, says A.P. Minister

Andhra Pradesh Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy on Wednesday said that the number of women utilising public transport has increased to 65 per cent following the rollout of the ‘Stree Shakti’ free bus travel scheme, with the government bearing a subsidy burden of ₹1,660 crore so far.

Participating in the discussion on budget demands for the Transport Department in the Assembly, the Minister stated that the scheme was launched on August 15, 2025, to strengthen women’s empowerment through enhanced mobility.

Under the scheme, women are being provided free travel in five categories of buses, including city ordinary, city express, palle velugu, ultra palle velugu and express services. As many as 47 crore free journeys have been recorded to date, with the government absorbing a subsidy of ₹1,660 crore, he said.

The Minister noted that women’s ridership has increased significantly from 40 per cent earlier to 65 per cent now, with an average of 25 lakh women commuting daily under the initiative.

The State Cabinet, in its recent meeting, had decided to extend free bus travel to persons with disabilities, further broadening the social inclusion agenda of the government.

Highlighting welfare measures for transport workers, Mr. Ramprasad Reddy said financial assistance of ₹436 crore was extended to 2,90,669 autorickshaw drivers during 2025–26 under the ‘Auto Driver Seva’ scheme. Institutes of Driving Training and Research (IDTR) are under construction at Dhone in Nandyal district and Darsi in Prakasam district.

Additionally, an Inspection and Certification (I&C) Centre is being set up at Gambheeram in Visakhapatnam at a cost of ₹16.50 crore, he said.

Automated Driving Test Tracks

On modernisation initiatives, the Minister said nine Automated Driving Test Tracks (ADTTs) are currently operational in the State, and five more will be established under the CSR initiative of Maruti Suzuki. Further, Automated Testing Stations (ATS) are functioning in 18 districts, with plans to expand them to the remaining districts shortly.

Referring to policy measures, he said that under the A.P. Electric Mobility Policy 4.0 (2024–29), motor vehicle tax exemption is being provided to electric vehicles purchased and registered within the State.

A dedicated Road Safety Fund has been constituted, with enforcement revenues being channelled into it to curb road accidents.