Priyadarshini free travel scheme turns 100 days: A look at UDF govt’s flagship initiative amid private bus crisis in Keralam
Kerala's Priyadarshini free travel scheme for women and transgender persons has reached its 100-day milestone with high ridership numbers. However, the policy has triggered a crisis for private bus operators, who report significant revenue losses and service reductions.
Why it matters
It illustrates the complex trade-offs between implementing social welfare policies and the economic viability of private sector competitors.
Amid the deepening crisis among private bus operators in Keralam, the Priyadarshini free travel scheme rolled out by the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government for women and transgender persons on Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses completed 100 days on Tuesday (September 22, 2026), with the public utility facilitating an average of 12.93 lakh free journeys daily.
According to official figures, women had undertaken 12.62 crore free journeys under the scheme so far, entailing a financial liability of around ₹267 crore on the KSRTC, although the State government has assured to meet the liability by providing financial assistance to the public utility at regular intervals.
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