Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government has issued a Government Order (GO) allowing persons with disabilities and their accompanying escorts to travel free of charge on 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 themselves of a 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 and 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 after verifying the passenger's UDID card to account for journeys undertaken by beneficiaries and their escorts.
Previously issued free bus pass cards for the 2026-27 financial year will no longer be valid under the new UDID-linked mechanism.
The state government had allocated Rs 95 crore for bus concessions in the 2026-27 budget and has now sanctioned additional funds, bringing the total estimated allocation to Rs 114 crore.
Under the earlier arrangements, beneficiaries were issued free bus pass cards for travel from their residence for education, employment, self-employment, rehabilitation and medical treatment. Visually impaired persons were eligible for unconditional free travel within a 100-km radius on city and other buses.
The new fare concession comes into force from the date of issuance of the order.