Free‑fare bus plan for women triggers earnings crash for Tamil Nadu auto and private bus drivers

The newly expanded Vetri Payanam free‑bus scheme for women has pushed private auto‑rickshaw drivers and private bus operators in Tamil Nadu into a serious earnings crisis. The programme lets women travel without charge on all state‑run buses, including express, deluxe and mofussil services, and has drawn millions of female commuters away from paid alternatives. Auto‑rickshaw operators, who depend on short‑distance trips by working women, report a steep fall in daily fares; Murali, an auto driver in Madurai, said his bookings are now less than half of what they were before the scheme. He added that while he backs free travel for women, soaring fuel costs and loan repayments leave his family struggling to get by. Private bus owners face a similar squeeze. A spokesperson for the Tamil Nadu Private Bus Owners Association warned that passenger numbers on private routes have collapsed, squeezing profit margins to near‑zero levels. He pointed out that operators must still shoulder heavy road taxes, high diesel prices and staff wages without any government subsidy, making competition with the zero‑fare state service almost impossible. Many operators say they are on the verge of shutting down, putting thousands of jobs at risk. The association has called for urgent safety‑net measures or regulatory changes to protect the informal transport sector. ## Context The scheme aims to empower women and reduce travel costs, but it also disrupts the income stream of informal transport workers who rely on daily fares. Without a transition plan, the policy can unintentionally threaten the livelihoods of thousands who provide essential last‑mile connectivity.