From now on, the free travel (Stree Shakti) scheme will also be applicable in buses going to Tirumala for Srivari darshan. APSRTC Chairman Konakalla Narayana Rao said that the free RTC bus travel facility for women has been extended up to the Tirumala hill.
However, since it is a ghat road, they are only allowed to sit. Otherwise, there is a possibility of accidents. He inspected the Avanigadda RTC bus depot in Krishna district, along with MLA Mandali Buddha Prasad and RTC RM K. Venkateswarlu.
Later, speaking to reporters, he said that the Stree Shakti – free bus travel scheme for women is getting an unprecedented response. He explained that 10 lakh people in the state took free bus travel on the 16th of this month, 15 lakh on the 17th, and 18 lakh on the 18th.
He said that women are benefiting Rs. 6.30 crore per day through this scheme. Narayana said that women who go to hospitals, shrines and do odd jobs are taking advantage of this scheme. Before that, he spoke to several women passengers. They checked their Aadhaar cards and provided them with free travel tickets.
“Initially, we told them that free travel is not applicable to women going to Tirumala. But as per the desire of women, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has also provided them with the opportunity in buses going to the hill. However, since it is a ghat road, we are only allowing them to sit”, Narayana said.
Otherwise, he expressed fears that there is a possibility of accidents. He is happy that women are traveling in RTC beyond expectations. RTC MD Dwaraka Tirumala Rao said that as part of the Stree Shakti scheme, smart cards with QR codes will be provided to women very soon.
He inspected the RTC depot in Madakasira, Sri Sathya Sai district on Tuesday. Already, about 18 lakh women are taking advantage of free bus travel every day, and this number is expected to increase to 26 lakh in the coming days.
The MD said that the government will bear the cost of the free bus scheme so that the RTC’s revenue does not suffer. He said that another review will be conducted soon and a decision will be taken to implement free bus travel in interstate bus services to other parts of the state.