KSRTC to print ads on bus tickets to offset Priyadarshini scheme revenue loss

Your next KSRTC bus ticket may do more than confirm your journey. It could also carry an advertisement.

The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is planning to print advertisements on the reverse side of paper bus tickets as part of a fresh revenue-generation initiative aimed at easing the financial strain caused by the state's Priyadarshini free travel scheme for women and transgender persons.

The move is part of KSRTC's efforts to tap non-fare income without increasing ticket prices.

The corporation is expected to invite bids from private companies and government departments to use the back of bus tickets as advertising space, creating a steady revenue stream from the millions of tickets issued every month.

The proposal comes at a time when KSRTC is under growing financial pressure despite a rise in ridership following the launch of the Priyadarshini scheme. While the Kerala government has committed to reimbursing the corporation for free rides, officials are exploring additional sources of income to strengthen the transport utility's finances.

Ticket advertisements are expected to complement other monetisation initiatives already being pursued by KSRTC, including branding rights on buses and commercial use of transport assets.

The Priyadarshini scheme, introduced by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, allows women and transgender persons to travel free of cost on ordinary KSRTC buses.

The initiative has been widely welcomed by commuters but has also raised concerns among private bus operators, who say it has affected their passenger numbers and revenue.

If approved, the ticket advertising plan will transform one of the corporation's most frequently used assets into a new platform for advertisers while helping KSRTC diversify its revenue beyond passenger fares.