Priyadarshini completes 100 days; 12.54 cr free trips, ₹266.53 cr in travel concessions

Thiruvananthapuram: As the Priyadarshini scheme completes 100 days on September 22, travel concessions worth ₹266.53 crore have been provided so far. A total of 12.54 crore free trips have been made. On average, 12.93 lakh women travel free every day on KSRTC ordinary buses.

The number of women passengers increased from 11.08 lakh in the first week to 13.93 lakh by the 13th week. The daily average was 12.12 lakh in June, rising to 13.62 lakh in July and 12 lakh in August.

The increase in free passengers has not resulted in a decline in the number of paying passengers. The daily average number of male passengers on ordinary services rose from 6.09 lakh in the first week to 6.19 lakh in the 13th week. The total number of passengers increased from 24.66 lakh to 27.63 lakh, a rise of 12.1 per cent.

Savings improve family budgets

The key social and economic benefit is that the money saved on travel expenses has become direct income available to families. Millions of women who travel every day have been able to save a substantial amount each month in their family budgets. With travel costs no longer acting as a barrier, women's participation in the workforce has also increased.

— Minister C.P. John