On August 15, 2025, the state of Andhra Pradesh unfurled a bold new chapter in public welfare with the launch of the Stree Shakti free bus travel scheme for women, girls, and transgender persons. The initiative, which coincided with India’s Independence Day, was marked by a symbolic journey: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and IT Minister Nara Lokesh boarded an Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) bus from Undavalli to Pandit Nehru Bus Stand in Vijayawada, mingling with women passengers and issuing the first zero-fare tickets. Their ride was not just ceremonial—it was a promise fulfilled, a vision for empowerment rolling out across the state.
According to News Today Net, the Stree Shakti scheme is open to all girls, women, and transgender persons holding Andhra Pradesh domicile status. It grants them the ability to travel anywhere within the state on APSRTC’s Pallevelugu, Ultra Pallevelugu, City Ordinary, Metro Express, and Express services. The numbers are staggering: out of Andhra Pradesh’s 5.25 crore population, 2.62 crore women are expected to benefit, with 8,458 out of 11,449 APSRTC buses—roughly 74 percent—dedicated to this cause. The government estimates that about 26.95 lakh people will use the scheme daily.
The scheme’s scope is impressive, but it does come with boundaries. As reported by News Today Net and Great Andhra, the free travel excludes non-stop, super luxury, AC buses, ghat road services, interstate non-stop services, contract carriage, chartered services, and package tours. To avail themselves of the benefit, passengers must present valid Andhra Pradesh identification, such as Voter ID, Aadhaar, Ration Card, or Driving License, to the bus conductor. This ensures the scheme’s benefits are reserved for state residents—a point emphasized by officials at every launch event across Andhra Pradesh.
The launch was more than a bureaucratic affair. As the bus carrying Naidu, Kalyan, and Lokesh passed through Tadepalli village in Guntur district, crowds gathered to cheer. Women beneficiaries alternated seats beside the state’s top leaders, chatting about their hopes and daily lives. Ministers, MPs, MLAs, and other coalition representatives replicated the launch in their respective constituencies, turning the event into a statewide celebration. At the main event in Vijayawada, the Chief Minister addressed a public meeting, underscoring the transformative intent behind Stree Shakti.
Social media, too, buzzed with the news. On X (formerly Twitter), Chief Minister Naidu quoted Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: “I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved. These golden words of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar guide our vision for Andhra Pradesh’s bright future.” He went on to post, “This Independence Day, we honour and celebrate Stree Shakti, the true strength of our state. The Stree Shakti free bus travel scheme empowers daughters across AP to stride forward with freedom and confidence, opening doors to education, employment, and opportunities for growth. Together, we embark on a journey towards our collective goal of Swarna Andhra.”
For Naidu, the scheme’s launch brought personal satisfaction. “Free bus travel is a gift I am giving to women as a brother,” he declared during the launch event, as reported by Great Andhra. The Chief Minister emphasized that fulfilling this promise was a major milestone from the TDP-led coalition’s ‘Super Six’ commitments made during the 2024 elections. These commitments—central to the party’s campaign—also include Rs 1,500 monthly aid to every woman aged 19 to 59, 20 lakh jobs for youth or a Rs 3,000 monthly unemployment allowance, Rs 15,000 annual support per school-going child (Talliki Vandanam), three free gas cylinders per household (Deepam – 2), and Rs 20,000 annual financial assistance to every farmer (Annadata Sukhibhava).
But what does Stree Shakti really mean for the women of Andhra Pradesh? The financial relief is significant. According to government estimates cited by Great Andhra, women travel by bus on average four times a week, with working women commuting daily. Before the scheme, this translated to a monthly expense of Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000 per woman—a considerable sum for many families. With Stree Shakti, these costs are wiped away, freeing up household budgets for other necessities, education, or even small luxuries that might have been out of reach.
The government’s commitment is not just rhetorical; it’s financial. The scheme is projected to cost Rs 162 crore per month, or Rs 1,942 crore annually. This substantial outlay reflects the administration’s belief that investing in women’s mobility is investing in the state’s future. The ripple effects are expected to be wide-ranging: easier access to education for girls, greater participation of women in the workforce, and enhanced freedom for women and transgender persons to pursue opportunities across Andhra Pradesh.
For many, the scheme’s launch on Independence Day was deeply symbolic. As Naidu noted, “This day has given immense satisfaction as a major promise made to women as part of Super Six during the elections has been fulfilled.” The connection between national freedom and individual empowerment was palpable in the speeches and celebrations. Women who once had to weigh the cost of every bus trip can now travel for work, study, or family without hesitation, knowing the state stands behind them.
Of course, the scheme’s success will depend on implementation. APSRTC faces the logistical challenge of managing increased passenger loads on 8,458 buses, ensuring that service quality does not suffer. Conductors must carefully verify ID documents, and the exclusion of certain premium and interstate services may require ongoing public communication to avoid confusion or disappointment. But the mood at launch was buoyant, with beneficiaries expressing hope that Stree Shakti would bring real, lasting change.
The inclusion of transgender persons in the scheme is another notable step. By explicitly extending benefits to this often-marginalized group, Andhra Pradesh’s government signaled its intention to make public policy more inclusive. It’s a move that resonated with many advocates, who see transportation access as a basic right that enables broader social participation.
Opposition voices, for now, have largely held their peace, perhaps recognizing the scheme’s popularity and the political goodwill it has generated. But as with any major welfare initiative, questions about sustainability and long-term funding will likely arise in the months ahead. For now, though, the focus remains on the immediate impact: millions of women and transgender persons, empowered to move freely across Andhra Pradesh, are seeing a tangible benefit from the promises made during election season.
As the buses roll on and Stree Shakti becomes part of daily life, Andhra Pradesh’s experiment with free public transport for women and transgender persons will be closely watched by other states—and perhaps even beyond India’s borders. For the beneficiaries, however, the change is already real, and the journey toward a more inclusive, empowered society is well underway.
