Priyadarshini free travel scheme turns 100 days: A look at UDF govt’s flagship initiative amid private bus crisis in Keralam

The public utility facilitates an average of 12.93 lakh free journeys daily

Updated - September 22, 2026 11:51 am IST - THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

Women passengers show their zero-fare tickets aboard a KSRTC bus in Palakkad following the launch of Keralam government’s Priyadarshini scheme on June 15, 2026 | Photo Credit: K K MUSTAFAH

Amid the deepening crisis among private bus operators in Keralam, the Priyadarshini free travel scheme rolled out by the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government for women and transgender persons on Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses completed 100 days on Tuesday (September 22, 2026), with the public utility facilitating an average of 12.93 lakh free journeys daily.

According to official figures, women had undertaken 12.62 crore free journeys under the scheme so far, entailing a financial liability of around ₹267 crore on the KSRTC, although the State government has assured to meet the liability by providing financial assistance to the public utility at regular intervals.

The daily ridership under the scheme rose from 11.08 lakh in the first week to 13.93 lakh in the 13th week, an increase of 25.7%. The daily ticket value also rose from ₹2.36 crore to ₹2.95 crore, marking a 25.1% increase. The monthly figures show that the average daily ridership stood at 12.12 lakh between June 15 and 30, rising to 13.62 lakh in July and 13.99 lakh between September 1 and 19. The daily average in August was 12 lakh.

The highest daily ridership was recorded on September 7, when 15,52,761 people travelled under the scheme, generating a ticket value of ₹3.29 crore. Data for the first six days of the 14th week, excluding Sunday, showed an average daily ridership of 14.96 lakh – 29.4% higher than in the first week. The corresponding ticket value increased by 29.2%.

Meanwhile, private bus operators, while acknowledging the scheme’s popularity, said it had severely affected their livelihoods. They claimed that around 700 buses had ceased operations, leaving approximately 11,000 in service. More than half of the operating buses are reportedly running reduced services and earning low daily revenues.

The operators said several workers were not reporting for duty as owners struggled to pay wages, further disrupting services owing to staff shortages. The crisis, they added, was particularly acute in Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Wayanad.

The operators are scheduled to meet Transport Minister C.P. John on Wednesday (September 23) to seek an early resolution to the crisis. They have been demanding a fare hike and an increase in student concession rates.

T. Gopinathan, general secretary of All Kerala Bus Operators Organisation, told the media that operators would halt services and launch protests if their demands were not met.

The owners also said the recommendations of the Padmakumar Committee appointed by the State government offered no meaningful solution to their problems.

Published - September 22, 2026 11:48 am IST

public transport / Keralam

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