Technical snag in KSRTC app; Over 40 women forced to buy tickets in Kasaragod

Parakkalai: Women passengers travelling on a KSRTC service in the Parakkalayi area in Kasaragod, Kerala were left paying fares on Monday after a technical failure prevented the rollout of the newly introduced free travel scheme (Priyadarshini) for them on the first day.

More than 40 women, who had boarded the bus after 9 am while travelling to attend a Grama Sabha meeting of Kodom–Belur Grama Panchayat, did not receive the intended benefit under the Priyadarshini free travel initiative. Instead, they were forced to buy tickets because the ticketing app on the conductor’s machine failed to download and function in the morning.

ALSO READ | ‘Priyadarshini Scheme will be a grand success if affluent women voluntarily opt out’: Suresh Gopi

The incident occurred on the only KSRTC service operating via Third Mile, Ennapara, Thayanur and Kalichanadukam from Kanhangad towards Parakkalayi. As the bus became crowded, the conductor was unable to complete issuing tickets for all passengers before reaching the stop near Parakkalayi School.

Passengers were eventually asked to alight, with tickets issued from outside the bus afterwards. The conductor explained that he had attempted to install and activate the free travel application on the ticketing device before 9 am, as instructed, but it failed to download. He added that once the journey had begun, the app could not be installed.

ALSO READ | KSRTC’s Priyadarshini launch day marred as elderly beggar woman allegedly beaten by employee

The service is operated by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, which has introduced the scheme as part of its women’s travel concession programme.

The scheme seeks to improve mobility and accessibility for women and transgender persons across the state by enabling free travel on ordinary Keralan State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses. The initiative is expected to benefit a large number of daily commuters by reducing transportation expenses and promoting greater access to education, employment and other opportunities.