Persons with disabilities and their companion can now travel free of charge in government buses with their Unique Identification Card (UDID).
The Welfare of Differently Abled department issued a government order for persons with disability with over 40% disability to travel n the city ordinary, express buses, low-floor buses, deluxe buses excluding air-conditioned buses of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporations and in the ordinary fare buses excluding air-conditioned buses of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporations in the suburban (Mofussil) and hilly areas. It comes into force from October 28.
This had been a long pending demand of various disability associations for free travel in buses. The order further noted that the current bus travel concessions for persons with disability including the 75% travel concession, will continue as usual.
“The free bus travel concession card obtained in the financial year 2026-2027 will not be valid when this scheme is implemented. The bus operator should issue a free travel ticket to them when they travel,” the order stated.
The announcement of the scheme was made in the State Budget in the Legislative Assembly in August, 2026. The Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Minister K. Jegadeshwari expanded it to persons with disabilities and their companions with a UDID card.
Welcoming the move Nethrodaya founder C. Govindakrishnan said, “We can now travel in all these buses without a pass and with just a UDID card. We are thankful to the Chief Minister for the initiative.”
The Hindu published an article on the issue on October 25, 2026.
Published – October 29, 2026 12:58 am IST
