AI SummaryTamil Nadu has widened its free bus travel scheme for women from 2 October 2026. Magalir Payanam, now run as Vettri Payanam (also written Vetri Payanam), lets women, girl students and transgender persons travel free on Express, LSS and Deluxe government buses in cities and towns, plus Mofussil Ordinary and Ghat Ordinary buses.
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay launched the expansion at the Koyambedu bus terminus in Chennai, handing out zero fare tickets himself on a Koyambedu to Kancheepuram bus. Of the 18,413 buses run by the seven State Transport Corporations, 12,695 now come under the scheme. About 84.32 lakh women are expected to use it every day, with no income limit and no cap on trips.
Magalir Payanam free bus travel for women: what changed
Scheme started in May 2021 as Magalir Vidiyal Payanam. Free travel was then limited to Ordinary Town buses and Ordinary Ghat buses on hill routes up to 40 km. In 2026-27, an average of 71.70 lakh women used it daily on 7,537 town buses and 173 ghat buses.
In July 2026, the TVK government dropped "Vidiyal" from the name and called it Magalir Payanam, with no change in benefits. Chief Minister Vijay then announced the expansion under Rule 110 in the Assembly on 24 August 2026. It came into force on Gandhi Jayanti and will cost the state about ₹6,000 crore a year.
Buses covered under Vettri Payanam
Free travel now applies on these government bus categories:
- Ordinary Town buses and Metropolitan Ordinary buses, which were already free under the old scheme.
- Express, Limited Stop Service (LSS) and Deluxe buses running within corporation and municipal limits.
- Mofussil Ordinary buses running between towns and districts.
- Ordinary Ghat buses in hill areas, now including routes longer than 40 km.
Covered buses show "Vetri Payanam" on the digital route board or carry an official sticker. Buses outside these categories still charge the normal fare, so check the board before you get in.
Who can travel free
Any woman travelling within Tamil Nadu can use the scheme, whatever her age, job or income. Girl students and transgender persons are covered too. There is no form, no registration and no pass or smart card to get. Carry an identity card like Aadhaar, voter ID or a school or college ID in case the conductor asks for it.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Magalir Payanam / Vettri Payanam (earlier Magalir Vidiyal Payanam) |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Started | May 2021, expanded on 2 October 2026 |
| Who Can Travel Free | Women, girl students and transgender persons |
| Buses Covered | 12,695 government buses of 7 State Transport Corporations |
| Daily Users | About 84.32 lakh (government estimate) |
| Yearly Cost | About ₹6,000 crore |
| Application Mode | No application, ask the conductor for a zero fare ticket |
| Official Website | tnsocialwelfare.tn.gov.in |
How to get a zero fare ticket
STEP 1 - Board any Ordinary Town bus, or look for the "Vetri Payanam" board or sticker on Express, LSS, Deluxe, Mofussil Ordinary and Ghat buses.
STEP 2 - Tell the conductor where you are going.
STEP 3 - Collect the zero fare ticket. On buses other than Town Ordinary, the conductor enters your boarding and getting-down points in the electronic ticketing machine. If the machine is not working, you get a hand-written zero ticket.
STEP 4 - Keep the ticket with you until the journey ends.
Districts where the expansion is on hold
Expanded coverage has not started yet in Chengalpattu and Tiruppur districts because the Model Code of Conduct is in force for the Madurantakam and Dharapuram by-elections. Women on Deluxe and other newly added MTC buses running into Chengalpattu district, towards Tambaram, Vandalur or Kilambakkam, were asked to pay for the stretch inside the district. Government has said the expansion will start in both districts once the election process ends.
References
Official Website | Renaming News | Vettri Payanam Launch News
FAQ's
Is there a distance limit for free travel?
No fixed km limit applies. What counts is the bus type and area: Express, LSS and Deluxe buses are free only inside corporation and municipal limits, while Mofussil Ordinary and Ghat Ordinary buses are free on longer routes too.
Are SETC and AC buses free under Vettri Payanam?
No. Long-distance SETC buses are left out, and AC buses are not among the covered categories, so a regular ticket is needed.
Is travel free on buses going to another state?
Yes, as long as you board and get down inside Tamil Nadu. If you board or get down in a neighbouring state or Union Territory, the normal fare applies.
Do other states run similar schemes?
Andhra Pradesh runs the Stree Shakti scheme for free bus travel for women, and several other states have their own versions. See the list of free bus travel schemes for women across India.