Tough task prepares governments to implement free bus travel plans for women

The number of female travelers per day is expected to increase from the existing Rs 161.1 lakh to 2.695 million. |Picture source: Representative pictures

The Andhra Pradesh coalition government, led by TDP, is launching the highly anticipated “Free Bus Travel” program for women across the state on Independence Day. However, initiatives aimed at improving women’s mobility have had a significant financial impact on the national finance ministry.

The mission to successfully launch the program is waiting for the government. In addition to recruiting additional staff, the enhancement and strengthening of existing bus fleets in AP State Road Transportation Corporation (APSRTC) is crucial.

According to preliminary estimates developed by the state-owned public transport organization, the company is already struggling with a shortage of funds if it is in Pallevugu, Ultra Pallevugu, Ultra Pallevugu, Ultra Pallevugu, Ultra Pallevugu, Ultra Pallevugu, Ultra Pallevugu, Ultra Pallevugu, Ultra Pallevugu, Express, Metroro Express, Meter Express, Meter Express, Meter Express, Meter Express and City City Expresses.

Under the plan, APSRTC may have to allocate 7,930 buses from its fleet for free bus trips, in addition to requiring another 2,045 buses and 11,479 employees, including 5,016 drivers, 5,016 conductors and 1,447 maintenance staff. The number of female travelers is expected to increase from the existing 1.611 billion Lukes to 2.65 billion, an increase of 1.084 million if the proposal takes effect.

If the company chooses to have free travel facilities only on Pallevugu, Ultra Pallevugu and City Porrison Bus, the company will pay an additional Rs 177 crore per month and spend Rs 21,22 crore per year. In this case, officials will have to deploy 6,136 buses, recruit 1,684 buses, and recruit 4,129 drivers, 4,129 conductors and 1,191 maintenance personnel. In this case, the number of existing female travelers could increase from Rs 14.3 lakh to 2.328 lakh, an increase of 889 lakh.

“We are looking at all aspects of the program to ensure that the launch and subsequent implementation are smooth and effective,” Transport Minister M. Ramprasad told Hindu On Sunday.

He noted that the delegation of ministers and officials led by him had travelled in neighboring countries where the program had been implemented, and he said that team members observed certain aspects such as increased traffic in pilgrimage centers, the huge demand for operational bus services in villages, which have been built for groups that have been created in the masses, which are well known as labor force, which has created the labor force among the groups.

In addition to Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu in the south, the Delhi and Punjab governments also allow women to travel for free on their respective state-owned buses. In Telangana, women travelers who chose state transport companies buses accounted for 40%, but after the implementation of the “Mahalakshmi” program, the number rose to 63% (a 23%), women commuters in Karnataka increased by 40% under its “Shakti” program, while women increased to 55% in 39% of the country, while Tamil Nadu increased by 39% of the number of women in that woman increased by 39%. “Vidiyal Payanam” program.