By March 2026, women across Andhra Pradesh had collectively saved an estimated ₹10,000 crore in bus fares — over 290 crore free tickets issued since launch. A working woman who previously spent ₹1,000-3,000 a month commuting now pays nothing, on the same routes she always used.
Stree Shakti Scheme — Andhra Pradesh’s free bus travel programme for women, girls, and transgender persons, launched by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on August 15, 2025 (Independence Day), as one of the TDP government’s “Super Six” election promises. No card, no advance registration, no app — just a valid ID shown to the conductor.
Operated by: APSRTC (Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation)
Quick Answer: Who’s eligible: Women, girls, and transgender persons with AP domicile status — no age restriction specified, no income limit How to travel free: Simply show a valid photo ID to the bus conductor — no card, no app, no pre-registration Eligible buses: Pallevelugu, Ultra Pallevelugu, City Ordinary, Express, Metro Express NOT covered: Super Luxury, Ultra Deluxe, Star Liner, A/C, Saptagiri Express, Interstate, Chartered, Package Tour buses, and non-stop services Scale: 2.62 crore beneficiary women; 74% of APSRTC’s ~11,449 buses included
How to Use the Scheme — No Application Needed
Unlike most welfare schemes, Stree Shakti requires no registration, no card, and no app download.
Step 1: Board any eligible APSRTC bus (see list below)
Step 2: Show a valid photo ID to the conductor (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or similar government-issued ID confirming AP domicile)
Step 3: The conductor issues a zero-fare ticket through the existing ticketing system
Step 4: Travel free — no payment required
This is genuinely one of the simplest welfare schemes to access — there’s no portal to navigate, no waiting period, and no separate enrollment process.
Eligible Bus Categories
| Bus Type | Free Travel? |
|---|---|
| Pallevelugu | ✅ Yes |
| Ultra Pallevelugu | ✅ Yes |
| City Ordinary | ✅ Yes |
| Express | ✅ Yes |
| Metro Express | ✅ Yes |
| Super Luxury | ❌ No |
| Ultra Deluxe | ❌ No |
| Star Liner | ❌ No |
| A/C Buses | ❌ No |
| Saptagiri Express | ❌ No |
| Interstate services | ❌ No |
| Chartered/Package Tour | ❌ No |
| Non-stop services | ❌ No |
Rule of thumb: If it’s a regular, everyday commuter bus — it’s almost certainly covered. If it’s a premium, long-distance, or special-category service — it’s likely excluded.
Eligibility
| Criteria | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who | Women, girls, transgender persons |
| Residency | Andhra Pradesh domicile status |
| Age | No specific age restriction mentioned in scheme guidelines |
| Income limit | None specified — universal scheme, not income-tested |
| Documentation | Valid photo ID proving AP domicile (Aadhaar, Voter ID, etc.) |
Unlike many other welfare schemes, Stree Shakti has no income-based exclusions — this is a universal benefit for eligible women regardless of economic status.
⭐ Special Extension — Tirumala Pilgrim Route
The scheme has been extended to the Tirupati–Tirumala ghat road route, one of India’s busiest pilgrimage corridors. Women and transgender pilgrims can travel free on regular APSRTC services between Tirupati and Tirumala, benefiting lakhs of devotees visiting the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple monthly.
Scale & Impact — Why This Matters
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Free tickets issued | 290+ crore (by March 2026) |
| Estimated savings to women | ₹10,000 crore collectively |
| Beneficiary women | 2.62 crore |
| Journeys recorded | 4.29 crore (as of February 2026) |
| Buses covered | ~74% of APSRTC’s 11,449-bus fleet |
| Estimated monthly cost to government | ₹277 crore (reimbursed to APSRTC) |
| Annual government cost estimate | ~₹1,942 crore |
Government data suggests women travel by bus an average of 4 times a week, with working women travelling daily — meaning the real monthly savings for a regular commuter can be substantial (₹1,000-3,000/month based on government estimates).
Common Problems + Fix
“Conductor asked me to pay despite being eligible”: Show your valid AP domicile ID clearly. If the conductor is unaware of the scheme or the bus category genuinely isn’t covered (check the eligible list above), you may need to verify which bus type you boarded.
“Travelling outside Andhra Pradesh — still free?”: No — the scheme applies only within Andhra Pradesh, on APSRTC services. Interstate routes are excluded.
“Don’t have an APSRTC-specific card — is that needed?”: No card is required. Any valid government-issued photo ID confirming your AP domicile status is sufficient.
“Boarded an A/C or Super Luxury bus by mistake”: These premium categories are excluded from the scheme — you’ll need to pay the regular fare on these specific bus types.
“Travelling to Tirumala — does the scheme apply?”: Yes — the scheme has been specifically extended to the Tirupati-Tirumala ghat road route for pilgrims.
FAQ
Do I need to register or apply for Stree Shakti scheme? No — there’s no registration process. Simply show a valid photo ID confirming AP domicile to the conductor when boarding an eligible bus.
Which buses are covered under Stree Shakti? Pallevelugu, Ultra Pallevelugu, City Ordinary, Express, and Metro Express services. Premium and special categories (A/C, Super Luxury, Interstate, etc.) are excluded.
Is there an income limit for this scheme? No — Stree Shakti is a universal scheme for eligible women, girls, and transgender persons with AP domicile, regardless of income level.
When was Stree Shakti scheme launched? August 15, 2025, by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, as part of the TDP government’s “Super Six” promises.
Does the scheme cover travel to Tirumala? Yes — it has been extended to the Tirupati-Tirumala ghat road route for pilgrim travel.
Can transgender persons use this scheme? Yes — the scheme explicitly covers transgender persons alongside women and girls.
Official Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| APSRTC Official Website | apsrtc.ap.gov.in |
| APSRTC Contact Number | 0866-2570005 |
This is one of the rare welfare schemes that requires absolutely no paperwork to access — just an ID and a bus ride. For millions of women across Andhra Pradesh, the monthly savings have translated directly into more disposable income for groceries, education, and other essentials.
If you’re a woman, girl, or transgender person with AP domicile status, you’re already eligible for Stree Shakti — no application needed. Just board an eligible APSRTC bus and show your ID.
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