Overview
- The UDF government will launch the Priyadarshini pilot on Monday, June 15, offering zero-fare travel for all women and transgender passengers on KSRTC ordinary buses with ‘zero’ fare tickets issued to track usage.
- The benefit applies only to KSRTC’s ordinary class services in the first phase and does not cover premium or private buses, with expansion to other categories to be decided after review.
- Kerala has committed to reimburse KSRTC for estimated losses of about ₹65–70 crore a month, a cost the state says it will meet while seeking extra non-fare revenue such as advertising and sponsorships.
- Private bus operators have warned of major revenue losses and have threatened strikes if the June 19 state budget does not include relief measures, and the All Kerala Men’s Association has announced protests on the launch day.
- Officials acknowledge an uneven ordinary-bus fleet concentrated in southern districts and an ageing vehicle stock, so the government will run a one-month social-impact study and monthly monitoring to decide service expansion and areas where new routes or leased private buses may be needed.