Thiruvananthapuram: Women and transgender passengers in Kerala can travel free of cost on seven categories of KSRTC ordinary services, with the state transport corporation releasing the detailed list of eligible bus classes ahead of the rollout.

The biggest question among commuters after the government's announcement was: Which KSRTC buses qualify for free travel? KSRTC has now clarified that the benefit will be available on the following seven sub-classes operating under the ordinary fare stage system:

  • Ordinary
  • City Ordinary
  • Limited Stop Ordinary
  • Town-to-Town
  • Fair Stage Ordinary
  • Point-to-Point Ordinary
  • Gramavandi

Passengers travelling in any of these categories will be eligible for the zero-fare facility under the new initiative announced by the Kerala government.

The state government had recently issued the official order implementing its election promise to provide free KSRTC travel for women. The order also makes it clear that the entire financial burden of the scheme will be borne by the government.

KSRTC officials had earlier indicated that free travel would be permitted across buses operating under the ordinary fare stage category. The newly released sub-class list provides commuters with a clearer picture of exactly which services are covered.

The scheme is scheduled to be formally launched in Thiruvananthapuram on June 15, with Chief Minister VD Satheesan set to inaugurate the programme.

According to KSRTC data, the state currently has 2,927 ordinary schedules, although not all of them operate simultaneously, as services are adjusted based on passenger demand.

Region-wise, 1,268 ordinary schedules operate across southern Kerala, while 831 are assigned to central Kerala and 828 to northern districts.

The rollout is expected to benefit thousands of daily commuters, particularly working women, students and others who rely on KSRTC's ordinary services for affordable public transport across the state.