‘Vettri Payanam’ scheme launched; women passengers travelling to workplaces to save a lot

Tirunelveli District Collector Anand Mohan launched the ‘Vettri Payanam Thittam’, the extended ‘no fare travel’ for women in mofussil buses at Vaeinthankulam new bus stand on October 2, 2026.

Mr. Anand Mohan, who distributed tickets to the women travellers, launched the scheme in the presence of Tirunelveli MP C. Robert Bruce and MLA Reddiyarpatti V. Narayanan.

Also Read: Declare ‘Vettri Payanam’ scheme unconstitutional, urges private bus operator before Madras High Court

The Collector said that even as ‘no fare travel’ was being allowed in 189 city buses everyday for women, this facility has been extended to 67 mofussil bus services from Tirunelveli and this will also benefit women travelling to neighbouring towns everyday to reach their workplaces.

At the same time, women passengers can travel without fare in another 107 mofussil bus services coming to Tirunelveli from Tenkasi, Nagercoil and Thoothukudi.

In Tirunelveli Region, which comprises of Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi and Kanniyakumari districts, women can enjoy ‘no fare travel’ in 1,070 buses including 813 city buses and 257 mofussil buses everyday.

This scheme has been designed in such a way to connect Tirunelveli with all important places like Eral, Authoor, Udangudi, Tiruchendur, Thoothukudi, Srivilliputhur, Sankarankovil, Kovilpatti, Papanasam, Ambasamudram, Tenkasi and Kadayam, Valliyoor with Tirunelveli, Kovilpatti, Nagercoil, Tenkasi, Radhapuram and Kanniyakumari, Thisaiyanvilai with Tiruchendur and Tirunelveli and Papanasam with Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Alangulam and Mukkoodal.

“The women passengers can easily identify the ‘Vetri Payanam’ buses as digital displays have been fitted on the front and rear windscreen of these buses. We’ve given due instructions to the bus crew to respectfully treat the women travellers. Any violations in this connection will be viewed seriously as this free travel is not a gift but their right,” Mr. Anand Mohan said, adding that the women passengers can register complaints against the ‘Vetri Payanam’ buses skipping the scheduled stops and refusing to take the women commuters.

Managing Director of Tirunelveli Region of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation K. Selvam was present.

“I will be saving at least ₹1,000 every month, which can be used for buying vegetables for a month for my family of three,” said Shanthi, a teacher travelling from Thoothukudi to Tirunelveli everyday.

Collector Ranjeet Singh handing over free ticket at the launch of Vettri Payanam scheme in Tenkasi on Friday.
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

In Tenkasi, District Collector Ranjeet Singh inaugurated the ‘no fare travel’ for women at Tenkasi new bus-stand and distributed sweets to women passengers.

A total of 82 town and 151 mofussil services by buses attached to Tenkasi, Sankarankovil, Puliyangudi and Shencottai branches will offer the ‘no fare travel’ for women passengers, who travel from Tenkasi to Tirunelveli, Kovilpatti, Puliyangudi and Ambasamudram, from Sankarankovil to Tirunelveli, Kovilpatti, Rajapalayam and Tenkasi, from Puliyangudi to Tenkasi, Surandai and Kovilpatti and from Surandai to Tirunelveli and Puliyangudi.