Kerala's Free Bus Travel for Women Boosts Daily Ridership by 5 Lakh
The number of women passengers using Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses has increased by approximately five lakh per day since the launch of the 'Priyadarshini' scheme, Transport Minister C.P. John announced on Monday.
Speaking during the discussion on demands for grants in the Kerala Legislative Assembly, Mr. John said that while 10 lakh women used to travel by KSRTC buses daily, the figure has now risen to around 15 lakh.
The scheme, offering free travel for women and transgender individuals in 3,125 'Ordinary' service buses of the KSRTC, was inaugurated by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on June 15. Eligible passengers do not need to produce identification documents; they are issued 'zero' fare tickets to help the corporation calculate the financial impact. The initiative is part of the UDF government's 'Indira Guarantees.'
Mr. John noted that the scheme imposes an additional daily liability of about ₹2 crore on the government, but for every rupee spent, working women gain ₹3, thereby strengthening household budgets.
Separately, the Transport Department plans to introduce a comprehensive Transport Policy and conduct a Vehicle Census. It is estimated that there are 1.30 crore vehicles on Kerala roads. Air pollution remains a major concern, and the minister flagged the issue of rackets in Haryana and Rajasthan generating fake pollution certificates.
