Unprecedented Response For Mahalakshmi Free Bus Travel Scheme: TSRTC

The State government's ambitious "Mahalakshmi - Free Bus Travel Facility for Women" scheme is received an overwhelming response from women commuters.

The corporation is transporting 51 lakh people every day, and 62% of the passengers are women - 30 lakh women travelled in its buses every day on an average since the launch of the scheme. Within 11 days of the launch of the scheme, a record number of three crore women travelled in TSRTC buses.

As a result of the scheme, the corporation's Occupancy Ratio (OR) has also increased significantly. The OR was earlier 69%. Now it has increased to 88%. As many as 17 depots on December 16, 20 depots on December 17 and 45 depots on December 18 recorded more than 100% OR. THe Yadagirigutta, Vemulawada, Dubbaka, Gajwel-Pragnapur, Huzurabad, Medchal, Musheerabad, Miyapur-II, Jeedimetla and Kushaiguda depots have achieved the 100% OR in the last three days.

The State government introduced the Mahalakshmi scheme on December 9. The TSRTC is implementing this scheme in the Palle Velugu, Express, City Ordinary and Metro Express buses. In order to implement the scheme effectively, zero tickets are being issued to women from December 15.

"It has however come to the notice of the corporation that some women are not bringing their identity cards for their travel. Photocopies of identity cards are being brought, and soft copies are being shown on smartphones. We request the women to show their original Aadhaar, voter, driving or other identity cards issued by the union or State governments, and take zero tickets. Free travel will not be allowed if the photocopies are shown on smartphones. The photos should also be clearly visible on the identity cards. Most of the Aadhaar cards have childhood photographs. We are requesting the beneficiaries to update them. The scheme is applicable only to the women from Telangana State as per the government's directives. Women from other states must pay the fare and take the ticket," TSRTC MD V C Sajjanar said.

Sajjanar also said that the TSRTC management had decided to make available new buses to cater to the rush of passengers. "As part of this, we are planning to make available about 2,050 new buses in four to five months. Of these, 1,050 will be diesel buses. 1,000 new electric buses will also be added to meet the increased demand. Those buses will be put into use in a phased manner," he said.