Minister CP John denies KSRTC converted ordinary buses to City Fast to curb free travel

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Transport Minister C.P. John on Wednesday rejected allegations that the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has been converting ordinary buses into City Fast services in Thiruvananthapuram to limit the benefits of the state's newly launched Priyadarshini free travel scheme for women and transgender passengers.

The clarification comes amid growing controversy over the exclusion of City Fast buses from the scheme and claims by commuters that a sudden increase in buses carrying City Fast markings was reducing the number of services eligible for free travel.

What is the City Fast controversy?

The row centres on the Priyadarshini free travel scheme, introduced by the Kerala government to provide free travel for women and transgender persons on KSRTC ordinary services.

Under the scheme, passengers are entitled to free travel only on ordinary buses. City Fast services, which operate under a separate fare structure and service category, are not covered.

City Fast buses charge a higher minimum fare of ₹12 and a per-kilometre rate of ₹1.03, compared with ordinary services, which have a minimum fare of ₹10 and a fare of ₹1 per kilometre.

Soon after the scheme was rolled out, commuters and critics began raising concerns over what they described as an increase in buses displaying City Fast stickers in Thiruvananthapuram. This led to allegations that ordinary services were being redesignated as City Fast buses, effectively reducing access to free travel.

While critics viewed the move as an attempt to deny passengers the benefits of the scheme, transport authorities maintained that the stickers were intended only to help passengers identify buses that fall outside the scheme.

Minister cites rise in women passengers

Defending the programme, John said the scheme had led to a sharp increase in the number of women using KSRTC services.

According to the minister, around 7.5 lakh women travelled on KSRTC services on June 8, before the scheme came into effect. By June 16, the number had risen to 11.84 lakh.

He said women had embraced the initiative enthusiastically and added that the state government currently owes KSRTC ₹2.46 crore towards reimbursement under the scheme.

The minister also said the revenue shortfall being experienced by the corporation was in line with earlier expectations.

'No ordinary buses converted into City Fast services'

Addressing the main allegation, John said reports claiming that ordinary buses were being converted into City Fast services were "completely false".

He said there are currently 384 City Fast buses operating in Thiruvananthapuram and that not a single ordinary bus had been redesignated as a City Fast service.

Instead, he claimed that two City Fast buses had been converted into ordinary services.

The minister further said that ordinary buses covered under the free travel scheme would continue to operate as such. He added that passengers wishing to pay fares could choose other categories of buses rather than those designated for free travel under the scheme.

KSRTC issues detailed clarification

Earlier, KSRTC issued a detailed communique rejecting claims circulating on social media and in sections of the media that ordinary services were being converted into City Fast buses following the launch of the Priyadarshini scheme.

The corporation said all services that belonged to the ordinary category before the introduction of the scheme continue to remain ordinary services and are eligible for free travel benefits.

According to KSRTC, Thiruvananthapuram currently has 384 City Fast buses operating through the city, while 687 ordinary buses are running across the district, including the capital city.

The corporation said details of all City Fast services operating in Thiruvananthapuram had been made publicly available. It also invited passengers to report any instance where an ordinary service appeared to have been converted into a City Fast service.

KSRTC said complaints could be submitted through email ( traffic@kerala.gov.in) or by phone (91889 33815) and assured that strict action would be taken if any such conversion was found to have occurred.

The corporation said stickers had been placed on buses to clearly distinguish between services covered by the free travel scheme and those excluded from it.

According to KSRTC, the markings were introduced to prevent confusion among passengers and to ensure women travellers could easily identify buses eligible under the Priyadarshini scheme.

The corporation also reiterated that City Fast buses constitute a separate service class because they operate with fewer stops and enable faster travel. Their distinct fare structure also places them outside the ordinary service category.

KSRTC said surveys and route assessments had been carried out before the launch of the scheme and that details regarding ordinary and City Fast services in Thiruvananthapuram had already been documented and shared transparently.

The corporation maintained that claims suggesting ordinary buses were being redesignated as City Fast services were unfounded.