Free travel scheme: Keralam govt. releases ₹88.23 crore to KSRTC to cover revenue loss

The State government has authorised the release of ₹88.23 crore to the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) to make up for the revenue loss sustained by the transport utility on account of the free travel scheme for women and transgender passengers.

From September 1 to September 30, a total of 4,16,41,303 women passengers made use of the ‘Priyadarshini’ free travel scheme. But this also led to the KSRTC incurring a loss of ₹88.23 crore, the Chairman and Managing Director, KSRTC, informed the government. Through an October 24 order, the government has authorised the transfer of an equivalent amount to cover this loss in the KSRTC’s ticket income.

The ‘Priyadarshini’ free travel scheme was one of the five Indira Guarantees of the UDF government. After coming to power in May, the V.D. Satheesan government had issued orders on June 11 for launching the scheme in KSRTC’s ‘Ordinary’ services for women and transgender travellers. Mr. Satheesan had launched the scheme in 3,125 ‘Ordinary’ service buses on June 15.