In a landmark move to promote women’s empowerment and provide them with affordable transportation, the Andhra Pradesh government has announced that women, girls, and transgender persons in the state will be able to travel free on buses from August 15. The scheme, named Stree Shakti, will cover various bus services operated by the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC).
What is the Stree Shakti Scheme?
The Stree Shakti scheme is an initiative by the Andhra Pradesh government to offer free bus travel to women, girls, and transgender persons within the state. This is part of the government’s effort to ensure safe and affordable travel for women across the state. Starting August 15, passengers eligible under the scheme will be able to travel without paying any fare.
Which Bus Services Are Covered?
The free travel scheme will be applicable on several types of buses in the APSRTC fleet, including:
- Pallevelugu
- Ultra Pallevelugu
- City Ordinary
- Metro Express
- Express services
However, the scheme will not cover:
- Non-stop services
- Inter-State services
- Contract carriage services
- Chartered services
- Package tours
- Saptagiri Express
- Ultra Deluxe
- Super Luxury
- Star Liner
- All AC buses
Who Can Avail the Benefits?
The Stree Shakti scheme is open to:
- All girls and women
- Transgender persons
To avail the benefits, the person must have a domicile status in Andhra Pradesh.
They must also carry valid identity proof to prove their eligibility.
How Does the Scheme Work?
Eligible women and transgender persons will receive zero-fare tickets for their travel. The APSRTC will issue these tickets and, in return, the Andhra Pradesh government will reimburse the transportation costs to APSRTC based on claims for the free travel.
Safety Measures for Women Passengers
Ensuring the safety of women passengers is a top priority under this scheme. The government is considering several measures to make the travel experience safer, including:
- Body-worn cameras for all women conductors
- CCTV cameras installed on buses for enhanced surveillance
These measures aim to provide a more secure travel environment for women passengers, especially during late hours or on longer routes.
What About Electric Buses?
The expansion of the scheme to electric buses is still under consideration. The government has mentioned that this will depend on Cabinet approval and the availability of electric buses in the future.
Necessary Improvements in Public Amenities
In addition to the free travel scheme, the Andhra Pradesh government plans to upgrade public amenities at bus stations. These improvements include:
- Installing fans
- Providing drinking water
- Offering better toilet facilities
- Adding more seating arrangements for passengers
These changes are expected to improve the overall travel experience for all passengers, especially women.
The Stree Shakti scheme is an initiative by the Andhra Pradesh government focused on women empowerment, ensuring their safe and free travel within the state.
With the scheme set to launch on August 15, 2025, the government is working to provide a smoother and more secure experience for women travellers across various regions of Andhra Pradesh.
As the scheme gains traction, additional buses will be added to meet the growing demand, ensuring that every eligible woman gets a chance to benefit from this initiative.
Vikas Kumar holds an MA in Political Science and has a strong background in government projects, having worked on various contractual initiatives aimed at public welfare. He created this website to share essential updates on government schemes, aiming to empower citizens with the information they need to access valuable resources.
