Cost of Priyadarshini Scheme bus ride in Kerala

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Introduction

Taking a cue from freebie experiments such as free bus rides in Karnataka and Telangana, Kerala also adopted this freebie for women. It named the scheme the Priyadarshini scheme, after late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, to get mass appeal.

However, the government of the day failed to factor in the extent of Kerala Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) coverage and fiscal state. In other states like Karnataka and Telangana, state-owned transport corporations provide the service, whereas Kerala has both state-run and private entities. This Kerala free bus service scheme has pushed the already penniless state-owned KSRTC into loss.


Free Transportation for Women
The Kerala government’s decision to offer the KSRTC free bus service for women is a commendable gesture. The Priyadarshini scheme is a blessing in disguise for women who go out for work, education, and healthcare. Usually, women in rural areas have to spend a large amount of money to commute daily. The state government seeks to promote inclusivity for women in the state’s mobility.


Unique Case of Kerala
Transport infrastructure in God’s Own Country is not centered on KSRTC. Most intra-district and rural transport is primarily owned by private buses. The number of private buses plying on different routes has increased in Kerala. The state-run KSRTC is primarily confined to long-distance routes and the city-centric regions in Thiruvananthapuram. The capital city also has private-sector bus services. This move has increased crowding of women in KSRTC buses, leaving private buses in a lurch. As KSRTC free bus services cover only limited routes, women have to wait longer and face heavy crowding. This higher occupancy means reduced comfort, safety concerns, and greater wear and tear of buses.
Sustainability of the Scheme
The success of the Priyadarshini scheme depends not only on the intent but also on its financial prudence. This move has completely exposed its financial position. This economic situation has unnecessarily put a fiscal burden on the constantly changing transport sector. This fiscal change is affecting livelihoods and competition in this sector. The KSRTC free bus service scheme targeting women is exclusively altering the transport sector. When one operator offers a free ride and the other charges, women take the cheaper option. It is not due to efficiency or better service from the cheaper operator but policy-induced changes in pricing. This one-sided approach favors market distortion. It favors one operator and leaves the other in disarray.


Aftermath of this Policy Implementation
Moreover, private operators have suffered substantial losses due to this scheme. Private bus operators would limit services to profitable routes or halt services if operational losses persist. The consequences of free bus travel for women extend beyond business profitability. It will affect the livelihood of thousands of youngsters who depend upon this sector. Thus, policies designed to improve the fiscal state will benefit some people at the cost of others.


This KSRTC free bus service scheme has added a financial burden on already cash-strapped KSRTC. Unnecessarily, the corporation has to spend a large amount of fossil fuel on selective routes without any financial incentive. Furthermore, the families of KSRTC employees travel freely in these state-owned buses. This further increases the financial burden on the state-owned corporation. KSRTC has historically depended on hefty grants or loans provided by the state government. If the corporation follows government orders, the financial burden will further increase the strain on the state’s exchequer. So, the Priyadarshini scheme can create a cycle in which free travel increases demand, demand creates overcrowding, overcrowding necessitates additional capacity, and additional capacity increases fiscal pressure.

Comments

  1. Global NewsAugust 24, 2026 at 5:31 PM

    The freebie of free bus ride is draining the exchequre.

    ReplyDelete

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