# Tamil Nadu Vetri Payanam free bus scheme

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/tamil-nadu-vetri-payanam-free-bus-scheme
> Updated: 2026-10-08T09:45:07.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 3.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay launched the expanded ‘Vetri Payanam’ scheme on October 2, 2026. The initiative provides free bus travel for women and transgender persons, expanding the previous scope to include Express, Limited Stop Service (LSS), and Deluxe buses in metropolitan and urban areas.

The program covers approximately 12,692 buses across seven state transport corporations, benefiting an estimated 8.43 million women daily. The state expects the scheme to cost approximately Rs. 6,000 crore annually.

Following the launch, the Madras High Court dismissed a legal challenge to the scheme. A private bus operator had filed a petition arguing that the policy violated the right to equality under Article 14 because it applied only to government-run buses. The petitioner, who claimed the loss of passengers would cause severe financial damage to private businesses, subsequently withdrew the application.

By October 7, the scheme had benefited approximately 5.9 crore passengers since its rollout. On October 7 alone, an estimated 88 lakh women utilized the service. Additionally, male commuters have experienced fare reductions on specific routes. To accommodate increased passenger volume and align with subsidy tracking, transport authorities have redesignated several higher-fare routes—including Express, LSS, and Deluxe services—back to ordinary or simplified schedules. This structural change has resulted in automatic ticket price drops for men ranging from Rs 3 to Rs 12 on certain routes.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-08: Tamil Nadu bus scheme benefits 5.9 crore passengers

Tamil Nadu’s expanded ‘Vettri Payanam’ free bus travel scheme for women has benefited 5.9 crore passengers, while structural route changes have also reduced fares for male commuters.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tamil-nadu-bus-scheme-benefits-59-crore-passengers

### 2026-10-05: Madras High Court dismisses challenge to Tamil Nadu free bus scheme

The Madras High Court dismissed a petition by a private bus operator that challenged the ‘Vetri Payanam’ free travel scheme for women in Tamil Nadu.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/madras-high-court-dismisses-challenge-to-tamil-nadu-free-bus-scheme

### 2026-09-30: Tamil Nadu CM Vijay launches expanded Vetri Payanam free bus scheme

Tamil Nadu CM Vijay launched the expanded ‘Vetri Payanam’ scheme, providing free bus travel for women and transgender persons on Express, LSS, and Deluxe government buses.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tamil-nadu-to-launch-free-bus-travel-and-lpg-subsidy-schemes

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Cite as: Tamil Nadu Vetri Payanam free bus scheme. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/tamil-nadu-vetri-payanam-free-bus-scheme