Hyderabad: Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) announced that women across the state have collectively saved Rs 10,000 crore in travel expenses under the Mahalakshmi free bus travel scheme. Launched on Dec 9, 2023, the Mahalakshmi scheme has facilitated over 290 crore zero-fare journeys by women within 28 months. According to TGSRTC managing director Y Nagi Reddy, the scale of utilisation reflects both the necessity and acceptance of the initiative. Women who previously spent between Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,500 per month on transportation are now redirecting these funds towards savings and household needs, he added. Furthermore, female ridership, which stood at around 40% before the scheme, has surged to over 67%. On an average day, over 35 lakh women are using public transport.Transport minister Ponnam Prabhakar said that the scheme was implemented within 48 hours of the govt assuming office, underscoring its priority status. He noted that the programme is contributing to women’s empowerment by enabling access to employment, education, and healthcare. Looking ahead, TGSRTC plans to introduce chip-based smart cards for women beneficiaries. This system aims to streamline access, eliminate the need for Aadhaar verification during travel, and generate precise usage data. In response to increased demand, the corporation is also expanding its fleet by adding new buses.
