Keralam Government Sanctions Rs. 2.99 bn for Free Bus Scheme
ECONOMY & POLICY

Keralam Government Sanctions Rs. 2.99 bn for Free Bus Scheme

Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan said on Wednesday that the government had sanctioned Rs. 2.99 bn for the Priyadarshini scheme, which provides free travel on ordinary buses operated by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) for women and transgender persons. The announcement was made on October 28, 2026, in a post on the social media platform X.

The scheme is one of the guarantees announced by the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) during the Assembly election campaign. It is intended to provide eligible passengers with free access to ordinary bus services while the state government compensates KSRTC for the resulting revenue shortfall.

Satheesan said Rs. 882.3 mn had been sanctioned to cover the cost of journeys made under the scheme in September alone. The government’s total sanction includes the funding provided for the programme since its launch, reflecting its continued financial support for the travel benefit.

As many as 41.6 mn journeys were made under the scheme in September, according to the Chief Minister. This represented an increase of 4,428,000 journeys compared with August, indicating higher utilisation of the free-travel provision during the month.

The Priyadarshini scheme was launched on June 15. Satheesan said it had helped reduce women’s travel expenses and strengthen their financial security since its introduction. He also said the government was meeting the revenue shortfall incurred by KSRTC, ensuring that the cost of the benefit would not be passed on to passengers through fares or other charges. The arrangement allows women and transgender passengers to use the specified ordinary bus services without paying for eligible journeys, while maintaining the transport corporation’s revenue support from the government.

Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan said on Wednesday that the government had sanctioned Rs. 2.99 bn for the Priyadarshini scheme, which provides free travel on ordinary buses operated by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) for women and transgender persons. The announcement was made on October 28, 2026, in a post on the social media platform X. The scheme is one of the guarantees announced by the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) during the Assembly election campaign. It is intended to provide eligible passengers with free access to ordinary bus services while the state government compensates KSRTC for the resulting revenue shortfall. Satheesan said Rs. 882.3 mn had been sanctioned to cover the cost of journeys made under the scheme in September alone. The government’s total sanction includes the funding provided for the programme since its launch, reflecting its continued financial support for the travel benefit. As many as 41.6 mn journeys were made under the scheme in September, according to the Chief Minister. This represented an increase of 4,428,000 journeys compared with August, indicating higher utilisation of the free-travel provision during the month. The Priyadarshini scheme was launched on June 15. Satheesan said it had helped reduce women’s travel expenses and strengthen their financial security since its introduction. He also said the government was meeting the revenue shortfall incurred by KSRTC, ensuring that the cost of the benefit would not be passed on to passengers through fares or other charges. The arrangement allows women and transgender passengers to use the specified ordinary bus services without paying for eligible journeys, while maintaining the transport corporation’s revenue support from the government.

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