Free Bus For Entire State: Govt Should Have Avoided

It is known to our readers that Chandrababu Naidu Government is gearing up to implement the Free Bus for Women Scheme starting this August 15th.

This is one of the big schemes in the Super Six.

Initially, the Government decided to confine the Free Bus to within the District Borders. This way, the Government will only facilitate Free Bus for important short distance commutes.

In the States where this Scheme is being implemented, there is a lot of misuse in the name of Joyrides.

Even though YSR Congress is criticizing the decision, it is certainly a Progressive Decision.

But then, it looks like the Government backed off.

The other day, Minister Atchchannaidu speaking to Media that it has been decided to extend the scheme to the entire state with the intervention of Nara Lokesh.

Government should have held on to this decision. It would also ease unnecessary burden on the RTC Exchequer and also the Government which has to reimburse for the Free Tickets.

Essential Travel is more inside the District. Very rarely ‘Essential Travel‘ is outside of the District. So the Government should have confined it to only within the district.

This scheme is estimated to cost the government Rs. 3,182 crore annually. The government will have to reimburse that amount to the RTC.

The passenger occupancy ratio (OR) in buses is currently 69 percent, but it is expected to reach 94 percent after this scheme is rolled out.

It is also estimated that the number of women passengers will increase by another 10.84 lakh every day. RTC should also increase its fleet to that extent.

There are divided opinions about this scheme.

As always, a big section of the people are criticizing this scheme as it is another freebie at the cost of taxpayers’ money.

In the states where this scheme is being implemented, it has become increasingly difficult for men to get a seat in the RTC Buses.

The Business of Autos and Cabs will be severely affected. The livelihood of many will be impacted.

Traditionally, Governments have always neglected RTC. So, the payment reimbursement will not be prompt, and that would further kill the Corporation.

However, there is also a positive side to this scheme.

The initiative promotes women’s participation in public life and encourages a more equitable society. It relieves the financial burden on women and their families, particularly those with lower incomes.

The money thus saved will come in handy for their household management and add to their savings.

The women who use buses to commute to their workplace and education will benefit big time.

In the lower strata of society, the Free Bus and Free Mid-day meal can encourage female education.

The challenge for this scheme is to avoid joyrides, which will be a misuse of the scheme.