1.71 crore Women Travel Free In Nandyal Under Stree Shakti Scheme
Kurnool district also witnessed a significant rise in ridership, with about 1.29 crore women passengers travelling under the scheme at a cost of Rs 58.36 crore. On average, APSRTC buses in the district cover 1.52 lakh kilometres daily, carrying nearly 3.16 lakh passengers every day
KURNOOL: Women commuters have recorded a massive surge under the free bus travel scheme across the Rayalaseema districts, with officials reporting unprecedented ridership over the past nine months.
In Kurnool, Kadapa and Nandyal districts alone, more than four crore women passengers have availed free travel during this period, with expenditure exceeding Rs 350 crore.
Notably, Nandyal district has emerged as a frontrunner in the state under the Stree Shakti scheme. From its launch on August 15, 2025, to May 31, 2026, nearly 1.71 crore women passengers travelled free of cost in the district. Officials said approximately Rs 111.50 crore had been spent on the scheme.
Kurnool district also witnessed a significant rise in ridership, with about 1.29 crore women passengers travelling under the scheme at a cost of Rs 58.36 crore. On average, APSRTC buses in the district cover 1.52 lakh kilometres daily, carrying nearly 3.16 lakh passengers every day.
"The occupancy ratio in buses has increased substantially compared with earlier, particularly due to the sharp rise in women passengers," a senior APSRTC official from the Kurnool region said.
Kadapa district, strategically located between Tirupati, Anantapur and Kurnool, also reported high patronage. Around 1.38 crore women passengers travelled under the scheme during the last nine months, with expenditure estimated at Rs 98.36 crore.
Passengers and APSRTC staff alike noted the growing rush. "Women passengers are travelling in large numbers on all services. In many cases, even seats are not available," said CH Muneppa, a conductor on an APSRTC express service in Kurnool.
Officials said nearly 30 per cent of the total ridership was recorded during the summer months of April and May alone. The increase was also attributed to pilgrimages, with a large number of women visiting temples at Tirupati, Mahanandi, Srisailam, Yaganti and Ahobilam.
C. Gangabhavani from Pendlimarri in Kadapa district said, "I visited Mahanandi, Srisailam and Yaganti this year using the free bus facility. It has been very helpful."
Across Kurnool, Kadapa and Nandyal districts, more than 1,300 buses, including hired vehicles, are currently in operation. Officials said the buses have been operating at over 90 per cent occupancy during the past two months, highlighting the scheme's widespread impact.
