Telangana free bus scheme: TGSRTC increases services as ridership surges by 1 crore

Telangana's state bus operator has been forced to add extra services across the state after demand for its free travel scheme for women surged by nearly one crore trips in just three months.

Between July and September, the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) issued 35.651 crore zero-fare tickets to women. This represents a jump of more than 97 lakh journeys compared to the 34.679 crore tickets issued during the same three-month window last year, proving that the popularity of the state's flagship welfare measure is still growing.

To cope with the mounting pressure on the network, the corporation has expanded its timetable across several districts. In a statement, the state transport body confirmed it has added extra daily trips to connect rural hubs and major towns, particularly in northern and eastern Telangana.

Where the extra buses are running

The increases are concentrated on routes where passenger numbers have spiked most sharply. In the eastern region of Khammam and Bhadradri Kothagudem, TGSRTC has added trips between Khammam and Yellandu, Yellandu and Kothagudem, Khammam and Madira, and Saraipet and Khammam.

Further north, services have been ramped up on routes connecting Karimnagar with Husnabad, Godavarikhani, and Hanumakonda. Similar expansions have been rolled out on busy corridors like Sangareddy to Hanumakonda, Hanumakonda to Thorrur, Nalgonda to Devarakonda, and Kamareddy to Ramayampet.

The corporation's Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Y. Nagi Reddy, said the extra services were mapped out systematically. The immediate priority, he said, was to prevent overcrowding and ensure that women do not face travel disruption or inconvenience, especially with major festivals on the horizon when travel demand traditionally peaks.

The cost of keeping Telangana moving

While the surge in ridership is a clear sign of the scheme's social impact, it places a heavy logistical and financial burden on the state's public transport system. Managing more than 35 crore free trips in a single quarter requires constant fleet realignment and puts immense pressure on existing buses and staff.

With nearly 12 crore journeys now being taken by women every month, the state government must continuously fund the ticket subsidies to keep the corporation afloat. TGSRTC has had to adjust its operations dynamically, moving vehicles to high-demand routes to prevent rural passengers from being squeezed out by the rush.

As the festive season approaches, the sustainability of this model will face its toughest test yet. For now, the state is betting that adding more trips is the only way to keep pace with a public that has embraced free transit on an unprecedented scale.