Zero ticket compulsory for free travel in Kerala for women, says KSRTC, warns of hefty fine
Fines apply for non-compliance, and City Fast services are excluded from the scheme.
Fines apply for non-compliance, and City Fast services are excluded from the scheme.
Fines apply for non-compliance, and City Fast services are excluded from the scheme.
The Kerala government launched the prestigious Priyadarshini project on Monday, under which women in the state can travel for free on KSRTC Ordinary buses. There is no distance limit for women's travel on these buses either. However, they have to take a 'zero ticket,' which the conductor will hand them after inquiring about their destination. Here's the catch. If they don't take the 'zero ticket,' a hefty fine can be slapped on the passenger.
If ticket inspectors come for checking, you will have to pay a fine if you haven't taken a ticket. The fine for travelling without a ticket will be the usual ₹500. If there are little boys accompanying women, half-price tickets should be taken for those between 5 and 11 years of age, and full-price tickets for those aged 12 and above.
The Priyadarshini free travel scheme applies only to ordinary category buses, not to City Fast services. Currently, 384 City Fast buses and 687 ordinary buses are plying in Thiruvananthapuram city alone.
A special system has been put in place to help passengers easily understand the City Fast services that are not included in the scheme. Stickers have been placed on the front and both sides of the entrance doors of ordinary buses, including those in the Priyadarshini scheme, as well as on City Fast buses that are not included. Officials stated that this measure is to avoid any confusion for women.
In Thiruvananthapuram city, City Fast services are widely operated in addition to ordinary services. As per the government notification dated April 30, 2022, the minimum fare for City Fast services is ₹12. A charge of ₹1.03 per kilometre will also be levied. However, the minimum fare for City Ordinary services is ₹10, plus 1 rupee per kilometre.
Since City Fast services have special fares and classes, they are not included in the ordinary category. Detailed surveys and assessments of ordinary and City Fast buses in Thiruvananthapuram were conducted in advance, when the scheme was announced. Therefore, KSRTC also stated that the news being circulated in this regard is fake.