APSRTC's Stree Shakti Scheme Drives Historic Shift in Public Transport Ridership
The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has witnessed a dramatic transformation in its passenger demographics following the implementation of the Stree Shakti free bus travel scheme. Women now constitute a commanding 65% of the total ridership, a figure that underscores the scheme's profound impact on mobility and accessibility.
Record-Breaking Occupancy and Operational Strain
The occupancy ratio for women passengers has consistently averaged an impressive 92%, with several days in March seeing figures exceed 100%. Notably, on March 2, occupancy reached 102%, and on March 23, it peaked at 109%. This surge in demand is placing significant pressure on the corporation's resources.
APSRTC operates a fleet of 11,000 buses, comprising 8,700 owned vehicles and 2,800 hired ones, with the majority now dedicated to serving women under this initiative. On average, 24.29 lakh women out of 41 lakh daily passengers are utilizing the scheme, highlighting its widespread adoption.
Financial Commitment and Infrastructure Challenges
The state government is investing heavily to sustain this program, with a daily expenditure of ₹8.55 crore. To date, the cumulative spending has reached a substantial ₹1,906 crore. Officials report that the rising occupancy is straining both the fleet and manpower, necessitating an additional 3,000 buses to meet current demand effectively.
In response, the government has announced plans to induct 1,000 electric buses soon, with an initial phase introducing 750 e-buses across 11 cities. However, even with this expansion, RTC estimates a persistent shortfall of 2,000 buses, indicating ongoing challenges in scaling infrastructure.
Leadership Insights and Regional Highlights
Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy confirmed that women make up 65% of travellers and emphasized the commitment to enhancing the fleet with more electric vehicles. "The Stree Shakti scheme is empowering women through improved mobility, and we are focused on expanding our EV bus network to support this growth," he stated.
Visakhapatnam has emerged as a leader in women ridership, with daily women passengers doubling from 1.5 lakh to 3 lakh. Of the district's 800 buses, 569 are dedicated to the scheme, contributing to a monthly ridership of one crore, of which 75 lakh are women. RTC's regional manager, B. Appala Naidu, noted that proposals for 300 additional buses, including 100 e-buses, have already been submitted to address local needs.
Future Outlook and Sustainability
As the Stree Shakti scheme continues to gain momentum, its success highlights both opportunities and hurdles in public transport. The high occupancy rates demonstrate the scheme's effectiveness in promoting gender inclusivity, but the strain on resources calls for strategic investments in sustainable solutions like electric buses. Moving forward, balancing demand with infrastructure development will be crucial to ensuring the long-term viability and impact of this transformative initiative.
