270 Buses Rolled Out for Women’s Free Ride Scheme in Kurnool

Speedy Summary

• The ‘Stree Shakti’ scheme is set to be launched in Kurnool district, andhra pradesh, starting August 15.
• Under the scheme,free bus rides will be provided to women and transgenders across the state upon presenting valid ID proof.
• A total of 270 buses out of 390 from the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) fleet in Kurnool district have been allocated for this initiative. This accounts for 70% of the local fleet.
• The accessible bus types include Palle Velugu, Ultra Palle Velugu, City Ordinary, and Express buses; however, buses operating to Srisailam are excluded from this scheme.
• Around 186 Palle Velugu buses, two Ultra Palle Velugu buses, and 82 Express buses have been designated for this purpose.Additionally, spare or unused APSRTC buses have undergone repairs to manage increased demand under the initiative.
• Nearly two lakh women are estimated to benefit daily from free rides as part of the program’s implementation in Kurnool district alone.
• The launch event will be led by Industries and Commerce Minister T.G. Bharath.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The ‘Stree Shakti’ scheme reflects a progressive step toward empowering marginalized groups like women and transgenders by enhancing their access to transportation services across andhra Pradesh at no cost-particularly benefitting rural areas where mobility ofen poses challenges due to socioeconomic constraints or lack of affordable options.This policy may ease financial burdens on beneficiaries while supporting their participation in workforces or accessing educational institutions and healthcare facilities more effectively. Though, allocating nearly three-fourths (70%) of available fleets might strain operational capacity unless long-term steps are taken alongside temporary measures like deploying refurbished spare vehicles currently proposed therein equally emphasizing equity-plus efficiency gaps preventing vulnerable exclusion quotas unmet!