Tamil Nadu bus fares have fallen for male passengers on 340 fast and luxury suburban government buses after the services were shifted to ordinary-fare categories under the state’s Magalir Vidiyal Payanam, or women’s free-travel, scheme. The change has reduced fares by ₹10 to ₹15, depending on the distance travelled, according to transport corporation officials quoted by Dinamalar.
The buses operate between districts and major towns, and their reclassification allows women to travel free under the expanded scheme while lowering the ticket price paid by male passengers. The move changes the fare structure of services that were previously operated as fast or luxury suburban buses.
Tamil Nadu’s women’s free-travel programme was first introduced on ordinary-fare buses and was later expanded under the name ‘Vetri Payanam’. The scheme covers ordinary buses in city and town areas, suburban ordinary services connecting districts, and ordinary buses operating in hilly areas for journeys of more than 40 kilometres.
According to the officials cited in the report, women are currently permitted to travel free in 12,695 buses, including city fast and luxury services, suburban ordinary buses and eligible ordinary buses in hilly areas. The number of suburban ordinary-fare buses operating between districts and important towns has increased from 2,050 to 2,390.
The additional 340 services were created by converting fast and luxury suburban buses to ordinary-fare services. Male passengers using these buses now pay fares based on the ordinary rate, resulting in savings of up to ₹15 on longer journeys. The exact reduction varies according to the distance travelled.
The fare change also affects how passengers identify buses covered by the women’s free-travel programme. The buses carry ‘Vetri Payanam’ stickers and display the scheme on digital destination boards, allowing passengers to distinguish them from other services.
The expansion follows increased use of the eligible services by women, particularly in Chennai’s luxury city buses and ordinary suburban buses operating in districts. The transport authorities’ stated next step is the continued operation of the reclassified services under the ordinary-fare structure, with passenger access indicated through stickers and digital boards.
