Chennai, Oct 29 (PTI) The Tamil Nadu government has issued a Government Order (GO) to allow persons with disabilities and their accompanying escorts to travel free of charge across state-run transport corporation buses under the 'Vettri Payanam' scheme, officials said on Thursday.
According to the order, issued on October 27, eligible beneficiaries can avail 100 per cent fare concession using their 16-digit Unique Disability ID (UDID) card issued by the Tamil Nadu government.
Under the revised guidelines, free travel applies to city and town regular buses, low-floor buses, express buses, Limited Stop Services (LSS), Deluxe buses, and ordinary fare mofussil as well as hilly terrain transport services, excluding air-conditioned buses. Persons with disabilities who are unable to travel independently are permitted to travel with one accompanying escort.
The order specifies that conductors will issue zero-value tickets upon verifying the passenger's UDID card to account for journeys undertaken by beneficiaries and their aides.
Previously issued free bus pass cards for the 2026-27 fiscal year will no longer be valid under the implementation of the new UDID-linked mechanism, stated the GO.
The state government had earlier allocated Rs 95 crore for bus concessions in the 2026-27 budget and has now sanctioned additional funds towards expanding the scheme, bringing the total estimated allocation to Rs 114 crore.
Beneficiaries were previously issued free bus pass cards that permitted 100 per cent free travel from their residence specifically for education, employment, self-employment, rehabilitation, and medical treatment.
Visually impaired persons were provided with unconditional free travel within a 100-km radius on city and other buses.
The new fare concession comes into force from the date of the issuance of the order.
