Tirunelveli extends no-fare mofussil bus travel to women across 67 services

Tirunelveli District Collector Anand Mohan launched the ‘Vettri Payanam Thittam’, extending ‘no fare travel’ for women on mofussil buses, at Vaeinthankulam new bus stand on October 2, 2026.

He distributed tickets to women travellers at the launch, which was attended by Tirunelveli MP C. Robert Bruce and MLA Reddiyarpatti V. Narayanan.

Extension to mofussil bus services

The Collector said ‘no fare travel’ was already being provided to women on 189 city buses everyday.

The facility has now been extended to 67 mofussil bus services operating from Tirunelveli.

The extension is intended to benefit women travelling everyday to neighbouring towns to reach their workplaces.

Women passengers can also travel without fare on another 107 mofussil bus services arriving in Tirunelveli from Tenkasi, Nagercoil and Thoothukudi.

In the Tirunelveli Region, which comprises Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi and Kanniyakumari districts, women can use ‘no fare travel’ on 1,070 buses everyday.

This total includes 813 city buses and 257 mofussil buses.

Routes covered by the scheme

The scheme has been designed to connect Tirunelveli with important places including Eral, Authoor, Udangudi, Tiruchendur, Thoothukudi, Srivilliputhur, Sankarankovil, Kovilpatti, Papanasam, Ambasamudram, Tenkasi and Kadayam.

It also links Valliyoor with Tirunelveli, Kovilpatti, Nagercoil, Tenkasi, Radhapuram and Kanniyakumari.

The network includes services connecting Thisaiyanvilai with Tiruchendur and Tirunelveli, and Papanasam with Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Alangulam and Mukkoodal.

The wider route network means that the fare-free facility covers services used by women travelling between Tirunelveli and neighbouring towns for work.

Digital displays and passenger complaints

Women passengers can identify the ‘Vetri Payanam’ buses through digital displays fitted on the front and rear windscreens of the buses.

The Collector said instructions had been issued to the bus crew to treat women travellers respectfully.

He said violations would be viewed seriously and described the free travel facility as “not a gift but their right”.

Women passengers can register complaints against ‘Vetri Payanam’ buses that skip scheduled stops or refuse to take women commuters.

Managing Director of Tirunelveli Region of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation K. Selvam was present at the programme.

For women who travel regularly for work, the facility can reduce their monthly travel expenses.

“I will be saving at least ₹1,000 every month, which can be used for buying vegetables for a month for my family of three,” said Shanthi, a teacher travelling from Thoothukudi to Tirunelveli everyday.

Rollout in Tenkasi

In Tenkasi, District Collector Ranjeet Singh inaugurated ‘no fare travel’ for women at Tenkasi new bus-stand and distributed sweets to women passengers.

A total of 82 town services and 151 mofussil services attached to the Tenkasi, Sankarankovil, Puliyangudi and Shencottai branches will offer the facility.

These services will cover women travelling from Tenkasi to Tirunelveli, Kovilpatti, Puliyangudi and Ambasamudram.

Services from Sankarankovil will connect with Tirunelveli, Kovilpatti, Rajapalayam and Tenkasi.

Buses from Puliyangudi will provide connections to Tenkasi, Surandai and Kovilpatti, while services from Surandai will run to Tirunelveli and Puliyangudi.

Source: The Hindu