‘Stree Shakti’ crosses 100 cr free journeys, saves women Rs 3,550 cr

Amaravati: The state government’s ‘Stree Shakti’ free bus travel scheme for women has crossed the milestone of 100 crore journeys, with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu describing the achievement as a reflection of the scheme’s growing acceptance among women across the state.

Launched on August 15 last year, the scheme has emerged as a significant component of women’s daily mobility, with an average of 24 lakh women availing themselves of free travel every day, according to the Chief Minister.

Naidu said the scheme had particularly benefited students, working women and those travelling regularly for employment and other daily needs. By eliminating the cost of bus travel, it had reduced the financial burden on women and enabled them to travel more freely, he said.

The cumulative savings to women through the scheme have reached Rs 3,550 crore, he said, stressing that the money saved could be redirected towards children’s education, household requirements and the future needs of families. Describing the crossing of 100 crore journeys as a “historic milestone”, Naidu attributed the success to the enthusiastic response from women and the support of mothers across the State.

He congratulated the women who had embraced the scheme and expressed appreciation for the APSRTC management and its staff, whose efforts, he said, had helped make the programme a large-scale public service success. Meanwhile, APSRTC chairman K Narayana Rao congratulated the corporation’s drivers, conductors, supervisors, officers and other staff for their role in implementing the scheme. He said the staff had been providing services responsibly despite the substantial increase in the number of women passengers. APSRTC was also focusing on maintaining bus schedules, passenger safety, service quality and effective deployment of its fleet to meet the increased demand, he said. The state government has been providing Rs 160 crore per month to APSRTC towards reimbursement under the scheme, with Rs 2,160 crore released up to August 2026, he added.

Narayana Rao said the scheme was applicable to eligible women, girls and transgender persons living in Andhra Pradesh on specified APSRTC services, including Pallevelugu, Ultra Pallevelugu, City Ordinary, Metro Express and Express buses.

He said APSRTC was committed to continuing the scheme effectively, with a focus on women’s welfare, economic empowerment and accessible public transport.

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