Tamil Nadu Vidiyal Payanam Thittam

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

• With an aim to enhance women's mobility across the state, the Tamil Nadu government has started a transformative initiative called "Vidiyal Payanam Thittam".
• Through this scheme, the state government provides free bus travel to beneficiaries women across the Tamil Nadu.
• Started in the year 2021, the scheme was initially known as "Zero Ticket Bus Travel Scheme for Women".
• However, later the government renamed the scheme as "Vidiyal Payanam Thittam" while keeping its original purpose.
• The primary objective of this scheme is to offer free bus travel to women and alleviate their financial burden.
• In Tamil Nadu the scheme is also popular by other names such as "Vidiyal Payanam Scheme" or "Malangir Vidiyal Payana Thittam" or "Free Bus Travel Scheme for Women in TN" or "TN Free Bus Travel Scheme".
• Tamil Government is continuously working towards the development for state women's and for this they have launched various schemes such as : -
  • Tamil Nadu Magalir Urimai Thogai Scheme.
  • Tamil Nadu Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam Scheme.
  • Tamil Nadu Pudhumai Penn Scheme.
• The benefits of free travel under the Vidiyal Payanam Thittam is exclusively for domiciled women of Tamil Nadu.
• Women can travel free of cost daily on state government run public buses operated by the TN State Transport Corporation Ltd.
• Since its launch, lakhs of women have availed the benefits of this scheme, and the number keeps on growing daily.
• As per the survey, beneficiaries of Vidiyal Payanam Thittam save around Rs 888/- monthly, which is on an average 11.4% of their monthly income.
• Around 28% women who avail the benefits of Malangir Vidiyal Payanam scheme earns less than Rs 5,000/- per month.
• On an average, women receiving scheme benefits completes 51 trips in a month.
• However, there is a travel limit and women can travel up to 30 km in government run buses.
• To avail the benefits of Vidiyal Payanam Thittam, women are not required to submit an application for it.
• While travelling, women must present a valid identity proof to the bus conductor, who will then issue a zero bus ticket.
• It means, women must carry their one identity proof in original while commuting.
• In case of any query regarding the scheme, beneficiaries must contact the nodal department of the scheme.
• State Planning Commission of Tamil Nadu is the nodal department of the scheme.

Scheme Benefits

• Under the Tamil Nadu Vidiyal Payanam Thittam, women beneficiaries are entitled to the following benefits : -
  • Free bus travel across the state.
  • Women can travel up to 30 km for free.
  • Free bus travel will only be provided on State Government Public Transport Buses.
  • Benefits of this scheme is now also available for hilly region.

Eligibility Requirements

• Women who meet the following eligibility criteria are entitled for free bus travel under Mahalir Vidiyal Payanam Thittam : -
  • Free Bus travel benefits are exclusively for women.
  • Women must be a domiciled resident of Tamil Nadu.
  • Trangenders and disabled women are also eligible.
  • Women can travel up to 30 km free of cost.

Required Documents

• To receive the benefits of Free Bus Travel in TN Government buses under the Vidiyal Payanam Thittam, eligible women must present any of the following documents to the bus conductor while travelling : -
  • Aadhaar Card.
  • Voter Identity Card.
  • Identity Card issued by the School or Colleges.
  • Employee ID Card issued by the respective organization.
  • Other identity cards with applicant's photographs.

Steps to Apply

• All Women in Tamil Nadu are eligible to receive the free bus travel under the Vidiyal Payanam Thittam.
• However, to receive its benefits, women are not required to apply for Vidiyal Payanam Thittam.
• Eligible women can avail the benefit of Zero Ticket Bus Travel Scheme directly on Government Buses.
• To avail of the benefits, women must carry one of their photo identity proof.
• However, women can travel up to 30 km free within the state.
• If a beneficiaries travel beyond the specified limit, she must pay the bus fare.

Relevant Links

• Vidiyal Payanam Thittam Guidelines.
• Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department, Tamil Nadu.
• Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission Portal.

Contact Information

• For any query regarding the scheme, beneficiaries women must contact the scheme nodal department office or State Transport Department office.
• State Planning Commission
  Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai-600 005