Mundakkayam: Schoolgirls who once relied heavily on dedicated school buses are increasingly switching their daily commute to KSRTC’s ‘Priyadarshini’ buses. This shifting trend has triggered a noticeable drop in student ridership across private and aided school bus networks, particularly in regions where Priyadarshini services align with morning and afternoon school hours.

For many families, the financial relief is substantial. Depending on the distance, some schools charge up to ₹1,800 per month per child for transport. By switching to the free Priyadarshini service, middle-class households are saving remarkably. For families with two school-going daughters, the monthly savings can easily exceed ₹3,000.

School authorities note that along routes where KSRTC buses ply main thoroughfares and rural roads, the number of girls opting for school buses has plummeted by roughly 20 per cent.

A financial headache for school managements

This migration is creating a severe financial crunch for school administrators. Traditionally, ahead of every academic year, private school managements would assess student strength and acquire new vehicles. Funding for these buses often came from community donations or high-interest loans sourced from private financial institutions.

The revenue generated from student bus fees is what keeps these operations afloat—covering fuel, routine maintenance, drivers' salaries and road tax, alongside loan repayments. The cash crunch is already so acute in some schools that managements have resorted to deducting up to ₹2,000 monthly from teachers' salaries just to service the vehicle loans.

Administrators warn that a sustained decline in student numbers will inflict a crippling financial burden on schools, potentially forcing managements to scrap their bus fleets entirely. Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) committees also fear that student enrolment on school buses will dwindle further in the coming academic year. Faced with this unfolding crisis, school managements are urging the government to step in with support, including road tax exemptions, to help keep aided school bus services viable.