Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Turns Bus Conductor for ‘Vettri Payanam’ Expansion, Hands Out Tickets

In a move that blended governance with a touch of populism, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, popularly known as 'Thalapathy', took on the role of a bus conductor on Friday, October 2, 2026. The unexpected gesture saw the Chief Minister personally handing out free tickets to women and transgender passengers aboard a government bus in Chennai, officially launching the expanded 'Vettri Payanam Thittam' (Victorious Journey Scheme). Viral Video Shows Woman Stopping Tamil Nadu CM C Joseph Vijay’s Campaign Vehicle To Perform ‘Aarti’.

The event, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti, took place at the bustling Koyambedu Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT), where CM Vijay boarded a Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) bus, specifically the 76B service operating between Koyambedu and Kancheepuram.

Vijay Becomes Bus Conductor

Clad in a crisp shirt, Chief Minister Vijay greeted passengers, used a handheld ticketing machine, and distributed 'zero-fare' tickets, creating a stir among commuters. The sight of the state's top executive in such an unconventional role quickly went viral on social media, with many passengers recording the moment on their phones. Reports also indicated light-hearted interactions, including college students on the bus sharing chocolates with the Chief Minister.

This public demonstration served as the official rollout of the expanded 'Vettri Payanam Thittam', a key initiative aimed at enhancing public transport accessibility and promoting the economic empowerment of women and transgender individuals. The scheme, renamed from the erstwhile 'Magalir Vidiyal Payanam' introduced by the previous government in May 2021, was announced by CM Vijay on August 24, 2026, in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly under Rule 110.

Tamil Nadu CM Joseph Vijay Turns Bus Conductor

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ram Kumar (@ramkumar_balasubramanian)

Expanding Horizons of Free Travel

The expanded 'Vettri Payanam Thittam' significantly broadens the scope of free bus travel. Previously limited to ordinary city and town buses and specific hill routes (up to 40km), the scheme now includes a wider array of services. Beneficiaries can now avail free travel on Express, LSS (Limited Stop Service), and Deluxe buses in metropolitan and urban areas, Mofussil Ordinary buses, and Ghat Ordinary services operating beyond 40 kilometres.

Key features of the expanded scheme:

• Beneficiaries: Women and transgender persons.
• Buses Covered: 12,695 buses (approximately 69% of the total fleet) operated by seven state transport corporations.
• Daily Beneficiaries: An estimated 84.32 lakh (8.43 million) women.
• Daily Trips: Approximately 1,68,500 single trips.
• Annual Expenditure: Estimated INR 6,000 crore.
• Eligibility: No income ceiling and no limit on the number of daily trips.
• Exclusions: The scheme is currently not implemented in Chengalpattu and Tiruppur districts due to ongoing by-elections. Long-distance buses operated by State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) are also excluded.

Tamil Nadu Transport Minister A Vijay Tamilan Parthiban lauded the initiative as a "social revolution," emphasising its role in removing transportation costs as a barrier to education, employment, and healthcare for women and transgender people. The government has also integrated Electronic Ticketing Machine (ETM) systems to accurately record these free journeys. This public display of engagement follows earlier instances of CM Vijay interacting directly with citizens, including a bus ride from the Secretariat in June after flagging off new buses.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 05, 2026 05:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).