KSRTC staff will face action if free tickets are issued to men on Priyadarshini buses, says Kerala Transport Minister C.P. John
Kerala Transport Minister C.P. John has warned KSRTC employees against issuing free tickets to men on Priyadarshini buses, which are reserved for women. The Minister also announced plans to hire private buses for peak seasons and extend public access hours for RTO services.
Why it matters
The enforcement of welfare schemes and administrative reforms in public transport directly impacts the daily commute and social equity for citizens in Kerala.
Kerala Transport Minister C.P. John has warned of strict disciplinary action against the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) employees found issuing free tickets to men travelling on Priyadarshini buses, saying the concession is exclusively meant for women under a government welfare scheme.
Speaking to reporters at the Payambalam Guest House in Kannur on Sunday (July 26, 2026), the Minister said such instances had been reported in many places when the scheme was launched, including at Thampanoor in Thiruvananthpuram.
“Such violations will not be allowed to continue. Strict action will be taken against employees who issue free tickets to men,” he said.
Mr. John stressed that the Priyadarshini free travel scheme was not a KSRTC initiative, but a government programme aimed at women empowerment, and therefore must be implemented strictly in accordance with the rules.
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