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As Andhra Pradesh’s fare-free bus travel scheme for women, Stree Shakti, completed one year on August 15, officials said that on average, women avail 24 lakh bus rides under the scheme daily.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu travelled in an RTC bus on August 15 from the Parade Ground to Camp Office in the Amaravati region and interacted with a few women passengers. A total of 87 crore fare-free bus rides have been completed in one year of the scheme being in effect, Naidu said, making the daily average around 24 lakh rides.
The Stree Shakti scheme is currently being implemented in 7,631 Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) buses, covering about 76% of the corporation’s fleet, according to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office.
The government is subsidising bus fares worth around Rs 8.53 crore a day, amounting to a total of Rs 3,095 crore so far, the statement said. It also noted that after the scheme was introduced, women’s occupancy in RTC buses increased to 62%.
Naidu stated that through the Stree Shakti scheme, women are getting to save money, and use those savings for family and livelihood needs. He said that the scheme has enhanced women's freedom of movement, financial independence, and self-confidence.
The CM spoke to students and working women, including a fisherwoman and a weaver, about how the scheme has impacted them. The women reportedly told the CM that the scheme has made it easier to access education, source materials for work, and sell produce in markets.