Metro India News | AMARAVATI

The Andhra Pradesh government is set to introduce a key technological upgrade to its flagship Stree Shakti free bus travel scheme for women. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to roll out a live tracking system, enabling women to know the real-time location of buses on their smartphones.

Reviewing the operations of the APSRTC at a high-level meeting in the Secretariat on Monday, the Chief Minister said the new feature would eliminate the need for women to wait at bus stops for long hours. The facility, he noted, would not only save time but also enhance the safety of women commuters by allowing them to plan their journeys more efficiently.

When asked about the timeline for implementation, RTC officials informed the Chief Minister that the live tracking system would be launched within the next two to three days on a pilot basis at the Guntur depot. Depending on the results, the facility will be gradually extended across all Stree Shakti buses in the state.

In addition, Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to ensure clear visibility of specially marked boards on the front and rear of the 8,458 buses operating under the scheme. He also advised RTC staff to exercise patience and maintain order during times of heavy passenger rush.

The Chief Minister was apprised that the Stree Shakti scheme has witnessed resounding success since its launch. Officials revealed that before the scheme, the occupancy ratio in RTC buses was around 68 to 70 percent, whereas it has now surged to 100 percent across 60 depots. The number of women passengers has grown from 40 percent to 65 percent, according to official data.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed satisfaction with the results, lauding women across the state for their responsible use of the scheme. “Women have shown remarkable awareness. They understand the state’s financial position and are traveling only when necessary. Their cooperation has made this scheme a tremendous success. I extend my heartfelt thanks to them,” he said.

He further added that while earlier DWCRA groups had empowered women with financial independence, Stree Shakti has now given them economic freedom in mobility. The scheme, he said, has spared students and working women from the burden of queuing up for bus passes, while ensuring safe and accessible transport through the RTC.