Kerala to study impact of Priyadarshini free bus travel scheme on private bus operators
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government will appoint an official committee to examine whether the Priyadarshini free travel scheme for women in KSRTC ordinary buses has adversely affected the financial viability of private bus services, Transport Minister C P John said on Monday.
The minister said the committee would identify routes, if any, where private bus operators have suffered financial losses following the introduction of the scheme and submit its recommendations to the government.
John said the state viewed private bus operators as "investors in the public transport sector" and assured them that their concerns would be addressed.
He added that the government would also consider long-pending demands raised by private bus operators, including a revision of student concession fares and the timely rationalisation of ticket rates.
At the same time, the minister criticised reports that a section of private bus operators in Wayanad had unilaterally increased student concession fares, saying such a move was inappropriate and could not be justified.
The announcement comes amid growing concerns from private bus operators over the state's newly launched Priyadarshini scheme, which offers free travel for women on ordinary KSRTC buses.
Operators have argued that the scheme was introduced without consulting the private bus sector and warned that it could seriously affect their livelihoods. Representatives of private bus organisations said women account for a significant proportion of their daily passengers, with many now opting for KSRTC services after the scheme came into effect.
The Priyadarshini scheme was one of the Congress-led UDF government's key election promises. It aims to improve women's mobility, enhance access to education and employment, and reduce travel expenses.
The government has maintained that the initiative is designed to provide financial relief to women while strengthening the public transport system, and has said it would take steps to address concerns raised by private bus operators.
(PTI)