Priyadarshini scheme: Kerala launches free KSRTC bus travel for women and transgender

The Congress-led UDF government in Kerala on Monday launched the ‘Priyadarshini’ scheme, offering free travel for women and transgender persons on ordinary KSRTC buses across the state, fulfilling a key election promise.

The programme was inaugurated at the Thampanoor KSRTC bus terminal, where Chief Minister V D Satheesan lit a traditional lamp to formally launch the initiative.

Many poor women who commute daily for work, including those employed as housemaids, will benefit from the scheme, the Chief Minister said during the inaugural function.

Transport Minister C P John, Minister for the Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes K A Thulasi, and senior officials were also present at the event.

Following the launch, the Chief Minister, ministers and officials travelled in a KSRTC bus from the Thampanoor bus station to the Secretariat along with women passengers.

A Perumathura-bound bus, decorated with balloons, was brought to the Thampanoor bus station ahead of the inauguration ceremony.

The launch also featured a woman driver and a woman conductor.

“It is meant to fulfil the promise made to the people,” the CM said in a Facebook post earlier.

The opposition CPI(M) stayed away from the inauguration programme, alleging that the government had diluted its poll promise by limiting the concession to ordinary KSRTC services during the first phase.

The Priyadarshini scheme is one of the five “Indira Guarantees” announced by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the Assembly election campaign.

In its initial phase, the scheme will be available on all ordinary KSRTC services. Women of all ages and transgender persons will be eligible for free travel, irrespective of income, social status or any other criteria.

According to official sources, beneficiaries will not need prior registration, documentation or any application process to avail of the benefit.

Passengers will only need to obtain a zero-value ‘Priyadarshini’ ticket from conductors through the Electronic Ticket Machine (ETM) while travelling. The system will digitally record journeys to enable transparent accounting and reimbursement of expenses to KSRTC, sources said.

The concession will be available on all 3,125 ordinary buses currently operated by the state-run transport corporation, providing coverage across Kerala.

The government said the initiative is intended to reduce the financial burden on women and transgender persons who rely on public transport for work, education, healthcare and other daily needs.