Private bus operators urge govt. to scale down free bus service for women
Private minibus operators in Thanjavur have requested the government to reduce the number of free bus services for women under the 'Vettri Payanam' scheme. They argue that the current policy has significantly reduced their ridership and threatens their financial viability.
Why it matters
This highlights the tension between social welfare policies and the economic sustainability of private transport providers in the public sector.
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.
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