The Joseph Vijay-led Tamil Nadu government has expanded its free bus travel scheme, allowing persons with disabilities and their accompanying escorts to travel free on buses operated by state-run transport corporations under the Vettri Payanam scheme.The order, issued on October 27, allows eligible beneficiaries to claim a 100 per cent fare concession using the 16-digit Unique Disability ID card issued by the state government, officials said on Thursday.Free travel will be available on regular city and town buses, low-floor buses, express buses, Limited Stop Services, Deluxe buses, ordinary-fare buses serving routes outside cities, and services in hilly areas. Air-conditioned buses are excluded from the scheme, news agency Press Trust of India reported.Persons with disabilities who cannot travel independently may be accompanied by one escort.
Conductors will verify the passenger's Unique Disability ID card and issue zero-value tickets to record journeys made by beneficiaries and their escorts. The order said free bus pass cards issued earlier for the 2026-27 financial year would no longer be valid after the new ID-linked system is implemented.The state government had allocated Rs 95 crore for bus fare concessions in the 2026-27 Budget.
It has now sanctioned additional funds to expand the scheme, taking the total estimated allocation to Rs 114 crore. Earlier, beneficiaries received free bus pass cards for travel from their homes for education, employment, self-employment, rehabilitation and medical treatment.
Visually impaired people were allowed unconditional free travel within a 100-km radius on city and other buses.The expanded fare concession took effect on October 27, the date on which the government order was issued, and replaces the earlier bus pass system with verification through the Unique Disability ID card.- Ends