Chief Minister M. K. Stalin on Sunday highlighted the success of the State’s free bus travel scheme for women, stating that it has recorded nearly 898 crore trips since its launch. Calling it a historic initiative, he described the scheme as his first signature towards shaping a new future for Tamil Nadu.
The ‘Vidiyal Payanam’ scheme, introduced as a key pillar of the Dravidian Model of governance, currently operates through a fleet of 7,712 government buses across the State. The Chief Minister noted that the steady rise in usage over the years reflects the scheme’s wide acceptance and effectiveness in improving mobility.
Providing details, Stalin said the number of trips has grown consistently—from 95.86 crore in 2021-22 to 235.14 crore in 2025-26. He added that the cumulative number of free journeys has reached 897.82 crore so far. Apart from women, the scheme also benefits transgender persons and persons with disabilities, enabling safer and more independent travel.
Emphasising its broader impact, Stalin said the initiative has contributed significantly to the socio-economic progress of the State. He also pointed out that Tamil Nadu’s model has inspired several other states to introduce similar welfare measures in public