Brief

Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Becomes Bus Conductor to Launch Expanded Free Travel Scheme

The chief minister handed out tickets on a Chennai bus as the Vetri Payanam scheme was widened to include express and deluxe services.

By Felo News Desk · Published Fri, 02 Oct 2026 16:30:47 GMT

On Gandhi Jayanti, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay briefly acted as a bus conductor on a government bus in Chennai, handing free travel tickets to women passengers as part of the expanded Vetri Payanam scheme, Gulf News reported.

The launch took place on the 76B service that runs between Koyambedu and Kancheepuram, with the CM distributing tickets at the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus. College students on the bus were seen offering him chocolates while he interacted with riders.

Vetri Payanam, originally limited to ordinary buses in metropolitan areas, now includes Express, Limited Stop Service (LSS) and Deluxe buses in urban zones, as well as Mofussil Ordinary and Ghat Ordinary services that operate beyond 40 km. The expansion brings 12,692 buses operated by seven state transport corporations under the free‑travel umbrella, representing about 69 % of the scheduled fleet and roughly 85 % of single trips.

The Tamil Nadu government estimates that the scheme could benefit around 8.43 million women and transgender passengers each day, helping them reach workplaces, colleges, hospitals and other essential services without paying a fare.

Key facts

The expanded Vetri Payanam scheme covers 12,692 buses operated by seven state transport corporations. (gulfnews.com)
The government estimates the scheme could benefit about 8.43 million women daily. (gulfnews.com)
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay handed out free tickets on the 76B route between Koyambedu and Kancheepuram. (gulfnews.com)
The scheme now includes Express, LSS and Deluxe buses in metropolitan and urban areas, plus Mofussil Ordinary and Ghat Ordinary services beyond 40 km. (gulfnews.com)