75% of APSRTC Buses Allocated for Free Travel Scheme: Minister

Quick Summary

• Minister for Transport Mandipalli Ramprasad announced free bus travel for Andhra Pradesh women starting August 15, 2025.
• Approximately 75% of the APSRTC fleet of over 11,000 buses will be utilized for this scheme. Bus categories include Palle Velugu, Ultra Palle Velugu, Luxury buses, and City Service buses.
• Nearly 1,400 new electric buses will soon be added to the APSRTC fleet to support smooth implementation of the scheme.
• A review meeting was held in Rayalaseema districts to assess preparedness for launch; efforts are being made to finalize an appealing name for the initiative.
• Opposition leaders raised concerns about impacts on auto-rickshaw drivers; a welfare initiative is planned for them as compensation.
• Ministers visited neighboring states (Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka) where similar schemes are implemented to study bottlenecks and optimize execution in Andhra Pradesh.
• APSRTC Vice-Chairman Ch. Dwaraka Tirumala Rao inspected depots across zones focusing on improved facilities like clean bus stands with proper seating arrangements, fans, and drinking water supply.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The proclamation of free bus travel for women marks a meaningful step toward gender-based welfare initiatives in Andhra Pradesh under the governance of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s administration and its “Super Six” program agenda. The allocation of nearly three-fourths of APSRTC’s existing fleet combined with plans to add new electric buses exhibits ambitious logistical planning; however, challenges such as operational efficiency during peak times or maintenance demands need close monitoring post-launch.

Addressing concerns from auto-rickshaw drivers through targeted support policies may help ensure that individual livelihoods aren’t adversely affected while fostering inclusive development goals-a critical balancing act given opposition critiques cited during remarks by Mandipalli Ramprasad.

Learning from neighboring states’ experiences seems prudent but must translate into practical adjustments tailored specifically to Andhra Pradesh’s unique transport infrastructure needs and demographic realities.

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