AP's Sthree Shakti Scheme Hits 100 Crore Free Journeys Milestone

The Sthree Shakti free bus travel scheme launched by the Andhra Pradesh government for women has crossed the milestone of 100 crore free journeys, marking a historic achievement, State Transport, Youth and Sports Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy said. He said the scheme, introduced under the leadership of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu with the objective of promoting women’s economic and social empowerment, had received an overwhelming response across the state.

Launched on August 15 last year, the initiative has recorded more than 100 crore free journeys so far, with around 24 lakh women travelling on APSRTC buses every day, the minister said. The scheme has provided women with financial benefits estimated at approximately Rs 3,550 crore, he added.

The minister said the initiative had eased the financial pressure associated with daily travel for employment, education, healthcare and family-related needs. By reducing transportation expenses, women are able to retain more of their income and use the savings for other essential requirements. The benefit also extends to households, as reduced commuting costs provide additional financial support to families, he said.

Ramprasad Reddy said the government was implementing its promises to the people as a responsibility rather than merely as assurances. While the free travel initiative costs APSRTC around Rs 160 crore every month, the government has continued the scheme considering its importance to women’s welfare.

The state has so far reimbursed approximately Rs 2,160 crore to APSRTC towards the implementation of the scheme, the minister said. He stressed that programmes aimed at improving women’s welfare should not be viewed solely through the lens of financial expenditure, but as a responsibility towards their economic and social empowerment.

The minister congratulated the APSRTC management, drivers, conductors, officials and other employees for their role in ensuring the smooth implementation of the scheme. Their efforts in providing safe and convenient transportation to lakhs of women every day were commendable, he said.

The government will take further measures to strengthen APSRTC and provide better and more efficient transport services for women, Ramprasad Reddy said. Steps will also be taken to ensure that beneficiaries face no difficulties while availing themselves of the free travel facility.