Sun Jan 05 11:33:08 UTC 2025: ## Andhra Pradesh to Offer Free Bus Rides for Women, Mirroring Karnataka’s Success
**Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh – January 5, 2025** – The TDP-led government in Andhra Pradesh is poised to implement a free bus travel scheme for women, drawing inspiration from Karnataka’s successful “Shakti” program. While lauded as a significant step towards women’s empowerment and improved mobility, the initiative presents a considerable financial challenge for the state.
The plan will allow women with Andhra Pradesh domicile to ride on approximately 8,200 non-premium APSRTC buses free of charge. Officials estimate that this will benefit around 2.5 million women daily, adding a projected ₹277 crore (approximately $33 million USD) to the state’s monthly expenditure.
A recent delegation’s visit to Karnataka revealed the operational complexities involved. Karnataka’s KSRTC added 2,000 buses and 9,000 staff to accommodate the increased demand under the “Shakti” scheme. While initial challenges were reported, KSRTC officials indicated successful regulation of services eventually. The Karnataka government implemented a 15% fare hike to offset revenue losses.
Andhra Pradesh officials, however, indicated that a similar fare increase is unlikely due to existing higher fares in the state. This leaves the state government facing a difficult balancing act between fulfilling social welfare goals and managing the significant financial and operational burdens of the program. The APSRTC will require substantial increases in manpower and bus deployment to meet the anticipated surge in demand. The corporation already faces accumulated revenue losses, further exacerbating the financial pressure. The initiative, while potentially transformative for women’s access to transportation and economic opportunities, poses a significant test of the state’s fiscal resources and logistical capabilities.
First Piper 