Ugadi Bonanza: Andhra Pradesh Announces Free RTC Travel for the Disabled

In a major welfare push, the government of Andhra Pradesh has announced free bus travel for persons with disabilities under the ‘Divyang Shakti’ scheme. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is set to formally launch the initiative in Amaravati today, coinciding with the Ugadi celebrations. Simultaneous launch events will be held across constituencies under the supervision of local MLAs.

The scheme delivers on a promise made during the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, reinforcing the government’s focus on inclusive welfare.

Extensive Coverage Across Bus Network

The free travel facility will be extended across all bus services currently covered under the ‘Stree Shakti’ scheme. This includes City Ordinary, Metro Express, Palle Velugu, Ultra Palle Velugu and Express services.

According to the transport data, APSRTC operates a fleet of over 11,000 buses , and nearly 74% of these around 8,500 buses are expected to come under the scheme’s ambit, ensuring widespread accessibility across the state.

Persons with 40% or more disability will be eligible to travel free of cost across the state. In addition, attendants accompanying them will receive a 50% concession on ticket fares.

Wider Beneficiary Coverage

The scheme significantly expands its reach by increasing eligible disability categories from four to 21. Along with physical and mental disabilities, it now includes autism, neurological disorders, Parkinson’s disease, thalassemia, hemophilia and sickle cell disease.

With this expansion, the number of beneficiaries is expected to rise sharply from 2.05 lakh to 12.76 lakh , including 11.16 lakh persons with disabilities and 1.60 lakh attendants . The government is expected to bear an additional annual cost of ₹207 crore to implement the scheme.

Digital Integration for Ease of Travel

To streamline access, the scheme incorporates digital solutions. Existing three-year validity passes will continue to be valid. New beneficiaries can obtain digital passes through the ‘Mana Mitra’ WhatsApp governance platform or the APSRTC mobile app.

These passes are integrated with the Sadarem database , eliminating the need for physical verification. Free tickets will be issued through QR code scanning, while services will also be accessible at 134 APSRTC counters across the state.