Kerala Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) ordinary bus at a street in Kochi. File
| Photo Credit: K.K. Mustafah
The ‘Priyadarshini’ initiative, part of the UDF government’s ‘Indira Guarantees’, was launched on Monday (June 15, 2026). Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan inaugurated the scheme at the Thampanoor Central Bus Station around 9:30 a.m.
This is poised to be a significant step towards greater mobility, empowerment, and social inclusion for women across the State. Here are some key details about the scheme.
Priyadarshini Bus Categories
KSRTC has released a list of bus categories on which free travel for women will be implemented under the Priyadarshini scheme. According to the list, women and transgender persons will be able to travel free of charge on seven categories of ordinary buses operated by the KSRTC, irrespective of their age, nativity and income.
The categories covered under the scheme are Ordinary, City Ordinary, Limited Stop Ordinary, Fair-Stage Ordinary, Town-to-Town, Point-to-Point, and Gramavandi services.
How is it implemented?
According to the State government’s plan, the first phase of the free travel scheme for women in KSRTC buses will be implemented in ordinary services. Of the 3,125 KSRTC buses under ‘Ordinary’ service in Kerala, 687 are in Thiruvananthapuram district, 415 in Kollam and 325 in Ernakulam.
Under this scheme, women will not be required to produce identification documents or certificates for availing the facility, but will be issued ‘zero’ fare tickets so that the transport utility can calculate the financial footprint of the scheme. Moreover, the ‘Priyadarshini’ free travel scheme in KSRTC ‘Ordinary’ services will not be restricted to women from Kerala, but will be open to all women who board the buses, Minister for Transport C.P. John said on Friday (June 12).
During the initial 100 days, women will be allowed to travel free only on ordinary buses . After this period, the government is actively considering extending the benefit to additional categories of services, including fast and superfast buses, according to Mr. John.
Guidelines for KSRTC free travel
A ticket is mandatory even for free travel. When availing of the free travel scheme, one must state their destination to the conductor and collect a ticket, just like taking a regular ticket.
If a woman is accompanied by boys between the ages of 5 and 11, they must purchase a paid half-ticket for them.
If male passengers (above 11 years old) are travelling with a woman, they must purchase a regular, full-fare ticket.
Women travelling for free are currently allowed up to 15 kg of luggage for free, just as it is in ordinary buses.
Ordinary buses that offer free travel for women will have a “Priyadarshini” sticker affixed to them for easy identification.
Financial impact
A specialised committee established by the public transport authority determined that permitting free travel on higher-category buses, such as fast passenger and long-distance services, from the beginning would lead to substantial operational challenges and financial losses.
According to an assessment done by KSRTC, the financial liability arising from the implementation of this scheme in ordinary buses is estimated at around ₹712 crore per month. If the scheme is extended to all categories of buses, the liability is expected to increase around ₹1,300 crore per month.
“The State government will provide the additional amount required for the KSRTC to implement the scheme, in addition to the ₹1,500 crore being provided annually now. We have asked the KSRTC to take the necessary steps to increase its revenue in the coming six months. More vehicles, more schedules and more advertisements will be put out as part of measures to increase revenue,” Mr. Satheeshan said.
Published - June 14, 2026 04:08 pm IST
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