Stree Shakti to Empower 56,000 Women in Annamayya District: RTC Officials

Quick Summary

• The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) will implement the State government’s ‘Stree Shakti’ initiative in Annamayya district starting August 15,to provide free bus travel to women.
• Over 1.41 lakh passengers use corporation buses daily in the district, with women accounting for more than 40% (approximately 56,400 passengers).
• A total of 480 buses from five depots-Rayachoti, Rajampet, Pileru, Madanapalle-1, and Madanapalle-2-have been allocated for the scheme. These include various services like Pallevelugu (363), Ultra Pallevelugu (27), and Express services (90).
• Women must hold an Aadhaar card linked to Andhra Pradesh state to avail of free rides; those without Aadhaar cards will need a regular ticket.
• RTC officials anticipate a possible drop in monthly revenue initially but expect increased ridership due to commuters shifting from private vehicles. Monthly income is estimated between ₹45 lakh and ₹60 lakh once implemented fully.
• Regional Manager C. Ramu confirmed staffing and operational arrangements are ready to ensure service punctuality during the scheme’s rollout.

Indian Opinion analysis
The implementation of ‘Stree Shakti’ reflects meaningful progress towards improving women’s accessibility to public transportation while addressing socio-economic priorities through direct subsidies in Annamayya district’s agrarian context.By targeting female commuters-who make up more than 40% of daily bus users-the government fulfills its election promise while likely boosting women’s mobility across social categories. However, concerns about reduced revenue for APSRTC underline potential financial strain amid expanded service coverage.

Operational readiness-as emphasized by RTC officials-to balance increased demand with service reliability is critical for success without disruptions that might adversely affect non-beneficiaries or commuting schedules overall. While long-term ridership gains are projected due to users shifting away from private modes of transport as per APSRTC’s estimates, real outcomes could depend on sufficient funding support and system sustainability beyond initial phases.

Read more: The Hindu