The Kerala Government's Priyadarshini scheme, which grants free travel for women and transgender persons on Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses, is set to come into effect on Monday.

The inaugural ride under the Priyadarshini scheme will be undertaken by two women KSRTC employees. Jayakumari, who has been serving with the KSRTC for 17 years, will be the conductor, while P P Sheela, the state's first woman KSRTC bus driver, will be behind the wheel.

Chief Minister V D Satheesan, Transport Minister C P John and Minister for the Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes KA Thulasi are expected to participate in the inaugural journey. Other government officials, including the Transport Secretary, are also expected to attend the event.

"I can't express the joy of being part of this. It is a proud moment for me to be part of KSRTC's history," Jayakumari told reporters.

"Whatever equality we may talk about, many women still feel reluctant to ask for money from their families. Even women who earn often end up handing over their income to other family members," she said.

Transport Minister C P John also expressed happiness at being able to fulfil a promise made to the people.

"CPM and CPI MLAs should participate and reconsider their stand. I am saying this as a minister. I humbly request them not to stay away from such a significant event," he told the media.

Responding to criticism from the CPM that the government had failed to fully implement its promise, John said, "This is not something they have been able to accomplish. So I do not understand these comments."

The government issued an order on June 11 allowing women and transgender persons to travel free of cost on ordinary KSRTC services. The scheme, a key promise under the newly elected UDF government's Indira Guarantee programme, was one of the flagship assurances highlighted during its election campaign.

According to the Transport Department order, the scheme aims to ensure unrestricted mobility for women and promote a more inclusive and participatory society. The government said the initiative is expected to enhance employment opportunities for women while contributing to their economic and social empowerment.

The decision follows a proposal submitted by the KSRTC Chairman and Managing Director seeking approval for a free-travel scheme on KSRTC services. After examining the proposal, the government approved the first phase of the programme, under which all women and transgender persons, irrespective of age, will be entitled to free travel on ordinary KSRTC services from June 15 onwards.

The order states that the scheme's implementation and effectiveness will be periodically reviewed, and further measures will be formulated based on the assessment. The state government will bear the full financial burden of the project and establish a dedicated cash-transfer and financial-management mechanism to ensure that KSRTC's operational expenses and financial commitments are met without disruption.

Which buses are covered under the scheme?
The facility will be available on all categories of KSRTC ordinary services without any distance restriction. However, it will not be extended to City Fast services, Fast Passenger services and other higher-class services, festival special services, weekend additional services, BTC services, chartered trips and similar services.

To ensure easy identification, all eligible buses must prominently display the words "Priyadarshini Scheme" on both sides and at the front of the vehicle.

Conductors are required to issue a Zero Fare Ticket to every eligible passenger, recording the boarding and destination points. Allowing travel without issuing such a ticket will be treated as a revenue loss equivalent to an Uncollected Fare (UCF). Similarly, failure to issue tickets to eligible passengers or issuing them to ineligible persons will be considered a serious irregularity.

Ticket inspection squads to monitor operations
Ticket inspection squads have been instructed to closely monitor violations, including the collection of fares from eligible beneficiaries, non-issuance of Zero Fare Tickets, issuance of excess tickets, extension of the benefit to ineligible services, and issuance of women's free-travel tickets to male passengers. Strict action has been ordered against those found violating the guidelines.

Certain charges to continue
According to the Transport Department guidelines, women travelling with family members will be issued separate tickets from male passengers, and the applicable fare will be collected from the latter. Likewise, passengers carrying luggage beyond the permissible limit will have to pay the prescribed luggage charges through a separate luggage ticket.

Private bus owners protest move
T Gopinathan, general secretary of the All Kerala Bus Operators Organisation, had earlier said the move could severely affect the private bus sector and urged the government to provide a support package for private operators before implementing the scheme.

Private bus operators alleged that the decision was taken without consulting stakeholders in the sector. According to them, concerns over the proposal had already been raised during the pre-election Puthuyuga Yatra led by former Opposition leader V D Satheesan.