Private bus operators urge govt. to scale down free bus service for women

The Thanjavur District Mini Bus Owners Association has sought scaling down of the number of ‘no-fare’ Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) bus services offered to women and transwomen passengers under the “Vettri Payanam” scheme.

In a memorandum submitted to the district administration here on Monday, the association said that commuter patronage to the minibus services had dwindled to a great extent following the launch of “Vettri Payanam” scheme.

The minibus operators struggled to meet the ends meet when the previous DMK regime launched and executed its “Vidyal Payanam” in the past. However, the association said the minibus operators breathed a new lease of life after the modification of rules for operation of minibus services by the previous regime, allowing them to operate from the mofussil bus stands and on extended routes.

Now, with the ‘no-fare’ travel for women and transwomen passengers extended to cover the travel of up to 40 km in mofussil buses apart from their travel in town-services, the association said that commuter patronage to their services had dwindled to a great extent.

Hence, the association pleaded that the number of “Vettri Payanam” trips operated by the TNSTC be reduced to ensure a level-playing field for both the TNSTC and the minibus operators.