What do you get under Vettri Payanam?
Free travel for women and transgender persons in Tamil Nadu Government buses, now including Express, LSS and Deluxe city buses and ordinary mofussil buses (from 2 October 2026).
Before October 2026, free travel was limited to ordinary town and ghat buses, up to about 40 km. The state estimates the expansion costs about ₹6,000 crore a year.
Vettri Payanam: latest updates
- Vettri Payanam started; women can ride Express, LSS and Deluxe city buses and ordinary mofussil buses free. news report
- Chief Minister announced Vettri Payanam in the Assembly under Rule 110. official source
Items marked "news report" are not yet in an official notice we could open. Confirm on the official site before you act.
Who is eligible for Vettri Payanam?
- All women and girls, and transgender persons, travelling in Tamil Nadu State Transport Undertaking buses.
- No income limit and no limit on the number of trips.
- Covers ordinary town buses and Express, LSS and Deluxe buses inside cities and towns, plus ordinary-fare mofussil and ghat buses between districts.
Also check:
- Long-distance express services of SETC and air-conditioned buses are not listed in the announcement; the state says more services will be added in phases.
How to apply for Vettri Payanam
- No application. Board an eligible Government bus and ask the conductor for the zero-fare ticket.
Common questions
Who is eligible for Vettri Payanam?
All women and girls, and transgender persons, travelling in Tamil Nadu State Transport Undertaking buses. No income limit and no limit on the number of trips. Covers ordinary town buses and Express, LSS and Deluxe buses inside cities and towns, plus ordinary-fare mofussil and ghat buses between districts.
How much do I get under Vettri Payanam?
Free travel for women and transgender persons in Tamil Nadu Government buses, now including Express, LSS and Deluxe city buses and ordinary mofussil buses (from 2 October 2026). Before October 2026, free travel was limited to ordinary town and ghat buses, up to about 40 km. The state estimates the expansion costs about ₹6,000 crore a year.
How do I apply for Vettri Payanam?
No application. Board an eligible Government bus and ask the conductor for the zero-fare ticket. Official site: https://www.tnsta.gov.in/
Do I have to pay anyone to apply for Vettri Payanam?
No. Applying for a government scheme is free on the official portal, and at Common Service Centres you pay only the notified service fee, if any. Never pay an agent who promises approval.
Which buses are free for women under Vettri Payanam?
Ordinary town buses, Express, LSS and Deluxe Government buses in cities and towns, and ordinary-fare mofussil and ghat buses between districts. Other services are to be added in phases.
Do I need a pass or card for free bus travel?
No. There is no registration or income limit; the conductor issues a zero-fare ticket.
Is Vidiyal Payanam stopped?
No, it was renamed and widened. The same free travel continues under the name Vettri Payanam.
Official sources
- Chief Minister’s announcement under Rule 110, 24 August 2026 (DIPR, in Tamil)
- Transport Department Policy Note 2026-27
- Social Welfare Department: Free travel for women in Government buses
Last checked 1 November 2026; next review by 31 January 2027. Rules and amounts change, so confirm on the official site before you apply. IndiaDigital is independent and not a government site.