Govt buses to offer free rides to elderly, disabled voters

Coimbatore: In a move to ensure high voter turnout, Coimbatore division of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) has announced free travel for senior citizens and persons with disabilities on the election day, April 23.According to an official statement, voters aged above 60, visually impaired and disabled people could travel free of charge in ordinary town buses from 6am to 7pm on April 23 to reach their polling stations. To avail of this facility, eligible passengers must produce their Aadhaar card or Voter ID card to the bus crew. The city corporation has issued strict instructions to all drivers and conductors not to issue tickets or collect fares from these passengers during the designated hours. This initiative covers the four regions under the Coimbatore division - Coimbatore, Erode, Tirupur and the Nilgiris districts. Branch managers, bus stand in charges and ticket inspectors across these districts have been directed to ensure smooth implementation of this order. Authorities said the measure was aimed at providing easy accessibility to polling booths and encouraging vulnerable sections of society to exercise their democratic right without any logistical hurdles.