PMK Leader Ambumani Demands Advance Funding for Free Bus Travel Scheme Amid Transport Crisis
PMKs Ambumani Ramadas urges Tamil Nadu government for advance funds to support struggling transport corporations amid operational losses.
Chennai, October 28 (Daily Kiran) : Dr. Ambumani Ramadas, the president of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), has called on the Tamil Nadu government to provide advance funding for the Vetri Payanam free bus travel scheme. He warned that transport corporations are facing significant challenges in meeting their essential operating costs.
In a recent statement, he alleged that delays in compensation for the expanded scheme have resulted in losses of around ₹25 crore for the corporations, affecting their ability to purchase diesel, tires, and spare parts. He noted that daily operating revenues have plummeted from an average of ₹21 crore to between ₹7 crore and ₹8 crore.
Citing trade unions, he highlighted that the total daily income, including subsidies for other schemes, has dropped from ₹47 crore to ₹22 crore. The enhanced Vetri Payanam scheme, which began on October 2, expanded the free travel services previously offered under the DMK government’s Vidiyal Payanam program.
According to Ambumani, the earlier program involved 7,714 city buses, while the new scheme now accommodates approximately 84.32 lakh women traveling daily on 12,695 buses. He mentioned that the corporation operates a total of 19,283 buses across the state. Last year, the estimated compensation for the previous scheme was around ₹3,599 crore, which has increased to ₹3,999 crore this year.
He further stated that the revenue loss due to this increase has surged from an estimated ₹10 crore to ₹25 crore daily. Highlighting the urgent need for funding, Ambumani explained that the corporation spends ₹16.17 crore on diesel and ₹2.35 crore on maintenance each day, totaling ₹18.52 crore.
He argued that the daily fare collection of approximately ₹8 crore is insufficient to cover these expenses. Additionally, he claimed that since the enhanced scheme commenced, oil companies have accrued a debt of ₹150 crore to the corporations.
In the last 25 days, purchasing diesel on credit has cost them nearly ₹3 crore. He also noted the two percent discount on cash payments. Ambumani accused the lack of funds of forcing operators to use retreaded tires and previously used spare parts.
He reiterated the necessity of advance funding each month to sustain the free travel scheme and ensure uninterrupted bus services. He urged immediate government intervention to alleviate the cash shortage.
