Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay launched the ‘Vettri Payanam’ scheme on Friday (October 2, 2026), expanding no-fare bus travel for women and transgender persons, at the Koyambedu bus terminus in Chennai. Coinciding with Gandhi Jayanthi, Mr. Vijay kickstarted the scheme by issuing free tickets to women passengers.

The Vettri Payanam scheme will reach 84.32 lakh beneficiaries every day. It is an expansion of the five-year-old Magalir Vidiyal Payanam scheme.

In the expanded scheme, women can undertake no-fare travel in the Ordinary, Express, Limited Stop Service (LSS), and Deluxe buses in cities and towns, Ordinary buses in mofussil areas, and Ordinary buses in Ghat sections beyond 40 km.

Also read: What is the Vettri Payanam Thittam launched by Tamil Nadu CM Vijay? | Explained

S. Malar, a resident of Chennai who was on board one of the buses at Koyambedu, said, “It was pretty surreal and exciting to see the Chief Minister issue tickets to passengers.”

K. Abhirami, a resident of Tiruvallur, said she was glad the scheme was being expanded. “I had the opportunity to even take a photograph with him (Mr. Vijay),” she added.

A total of 12,695 buses under the seven State Transport Corporations have been brought under the Vettri Payanam scheme, and 1,68,500 trips (singles) will be operated.

Bypoll restrictions

It is to be noted that the scheme will not be implemented in Chengalpattu and Tiruppur districts, owing to the bypolls in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies, where the Model Code of Conduct is in place.

Mr. Vijay, on August 24, announced the expanded scheme under Rule No. 110 in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.