Women's to get zero fare tickets to women from August 15

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to issue ‘zero fare tickets’ to women passengers under the APSRTC free bus travel scheme set to be implemented from August 15.

The ticket must include details such as the route travelled, the amount of money saved through the free service, and the full 100% subsidy the government provides.

The Chief Minister stated that issuing zero fare tickets will help women passengers clearly understand the benefit they are receiving. He instructed officials to develop the necessary software for this purpose.

The Chief Minister reviewed the RTC free bus travel scheme for women with officials at the Secretariat and discussed the financial aspects of the scheme in the other States where it has been implemented and what it might cost in Andhra Pradesh.

He directed that the scheme must be implemented effectively from August 15 under all circumstances. Since the free bus travel scheme for women is being launched soon, the Chief Minister advised that APSRTC should explore alternative revenue sources and reduce operational costs to become a profitable entity.

He directed officials to come up with an action plan on the possible revenue-generating methods and the necessary policy changes. Simultaneously, the Chief Minister instructed officials to purchase only AC electric buses in the future and noted that converting existing buses to electric buses would reduce maintenance costs and recommended that the required electricity be produced in-house.