Bus Travel For Women: Is Aadhaar Card Mandatory To Ride For Free?

A free bus scheme has been launched in Andhra Pradesh. The Chief Minister, Chandrababu Naidu, has introduced this initiative under the name Stree Shakti, allowing women to travel by bus free of charge. However, women wishing to take advantage of this scheme should be aware of certain important details and may have some questions. Let us address these concerns.

A similar free bus scheme is already in operation in Telangana, and now Andhra Pradesh has followed suit. To travel without charge, women must present one of the following forms of identification: Aadhaar card, voter ID, or ration card.

It is crucial to note that only the original Aadhaar card, voter ID, or ration card is accepted for free travel. Photocopies or photographs of the Aadhaar card on a mobile phone are not valid, as photocopies can be tampered with and digital images are not deemed reliable. Therefore, women must carry the physical original Aadhaar card.

Moreover, downloading a digital Aadhaar card from the UIDAI website onto a smartphone may not always be practical due to possible server congestion, internet issues, or the requirement for a one-time password (OTP) linked to the mobile number registered with the Aadhaar. Hence, having the original Aadhaar card at hand is essential for free travel.

Women should also ensure that the address on their Aadhaar card is registered in Andhra Pradesh; those with a Telangana address will be required to purchase a ticket. It is equally important that the photograph on the Aadhaar card is up to date, as significant differences in appearance may lead to complications.

In summary, to avail themselves of the free bus travel scheme in Andhra Pradesh, women must carry the original Aadhaar card with a correct Andhra Pradesh address and an updated photograph.