Mananthavady: Priyadarshini Transports, run by the Wayanad District SC/ST Motor Transport Cooperative Society, has completed 40 years of service – and is still running on “top gear”. It is the only transport company in Kerala owned by a Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes society.

With three buses and 18 employees, the service continues despite high fuel prices and rising operational costs.

The last one standing
The SC/ST motor transport societies were launched in all districts in 1985 to support educated youth from these communities. Today, only the Wayanad unit remains. Priyadarshini now operates on three routes – Mananthavady–Kozhikode, Mananthavady–Sulthan Bathery, and Mananthavady–Valad.

Once, the Mananthavady–Sulthan Bathery route was Priyadarshini’s monopoly, but competition from private operators changed the game.

Veteran staff recall a time when passengers waited at every bend for the Priyadarshini buses. In 2016, the fleet had grown to eight buses, with the Panamaram–Mananthavady and Mananthavady–Niravilpuzha routes delivering high profits.

The society’s buses, with the District Collector as chairman and the Mananthavady Sub Collector as managing director, were often pressed into service during emergencies such as private bus and KSRTC strikes.

Society secretary C O Thomas remembers special trips – including a Sabarimala service exclusively for tribal pilgrims and buses to major church feasts in Mahe and temple festivals like Kottiyoor and Valliyoorkavu. In 2012, the society even launched tourist buses, but rising fuel prices and other costs halted expansion.

Over time, the fleet was cut to reduce expenses. Fierce competition from private buses also threatened survival.

“We were not ready to bow out like other societies,” said Thomas. “Now, all our buses are leased to society members, who run them at their own risk.”

Even as the number of private buses in the district dwindles, Priyadarshini remains on the road – still serving the people of Wayanad in top gear.