Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday (August 24, 2026) announced the expansion of Vettri Payanam scheme (previously Vidiyal Payanam), which provides free bus travel for women, to allow them to travel on express, LSS, deluxe and moffusil buses too. The expansion will come into effect on Gandhi Jayanti (October 2) this year.

Making a suo motu statement in the Legislative Assembly, he said women were currently allowed to travel free only on ordinary buses in cities and municipal areas, and in hill areas for up to 40 km.

No income ceiling

The Chief Minister said women could travel without paying fares on mofussil buses plying between districts and on buses in hill areas. “There is no income ceiling or other restriction to avail of the scheme. This will enable girl students to travel to colleges in faraway places and women to travel across the State. Transgender persons can also make use of the scheme,” he said.

The expansion of the scheme will cost approximately ₹6,000 crore a year.