Free Travel For Women And Transgender Persons Begins In Kerala From June 15; Here's The Full List Of Eligible

In a major welfare initiative aimed at improving women's mobility and reducing travel expenses, the Kerala government will roll out free bus travel for women and transgender persons from June 15 under the Priyadarshini Scheme. Ahead of the launch, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has released the list of bus categories where the concession will be available.

The scheme, one of the key election promises of the ruling government, is expected to benefit lakhs of daily commuters across the state by making public transport more accessible and affordable.

What Is the Priyadarshini Scheme?

The Priyadarshini Scheme provides free travel on select KSRTC bus services for women of all age groups and for transgender persons, regardless of their income or financial background.

The initiative has been introduced to encourage greater participation of women in education, employment, and social activities by reducing the burden of transportation costs. The state government believes that easier access to public transport can play an important role in strengthening economic independence and social inclusion.

The scheme will be formally inaugurated on June 15 in Thiruvananthapuram.

Which KSRTC Buses Are Covered?

According to the KSRTC notification, free travel will initially be available on seven categories of ordinary bus services operated by the corporation. These include:

• Ordinary
• City Ordinary
• Limited Stop Ordinary
• Fair-Stage Ordinary
• Town-to-Town Services
• Point-to-Point Services
• Gramavandi Services

Officials said special stickers will be displayed on eligible buses to help passengers easily identify the services covered under the Priyadarshini Scheme.

Who Can Avail the Free Travel Benefit?

The Kerala government has clarified that the concession will be available to:

• Women of all age groups
• Transgender persons
• Commuters from all social and economic backgrounds

Unlike some welfare schemes that are based on income criteria, the Priyadarshini Scheme will be universal in nature, ensuring that every eligible passenger can benefit without restrictions linked to earnings or financial status.

Government to Bear the Cost

Chief Minister V D Satheesan recently announced that the state government will fully compensate KSRTC for the financial burden created by the scheme.

According to government estimates, the first phase of the initiative will cost around ₹60 crore every month, amounting to nearly ₹800 crore annually. This will be in addition to the approximately ₹1,500 crore that the state already provides each year to support KSRTC's salary and pension obligations.

The Chief Minister said the government is committed to ensuring that the welfare measure does not negatively impact the functioning of the state transport corporation.

Only the First Phase of the Project

The government has described the June 15 rollout as the first phase of a larger initiative. Over the next six months, KSRTC has been asked to focus on improving its revenue generation and operational efficiency.

The state plans to introduce measures such as:

• Purchasing additional buses,
• Launching more services,
• Expanding connectivity in underserved regions,
• Improving the financial health of KSRTC.

Officials said that once the corporation's revenue improves, the government will examine the possibility of expanding the scope of the free travel scheme.

Monthly Review and Future Expansion

The state government has also announced that the implementation of the Priyadarshini Scheme will be reviewed every month. Authorities will monitor factors such as:

• Passenger usage patterns,
• Demand for ordinary bus services,
• Availability of KSRTC buses in regions like Malabar,
• Financial impact on the transport corporation.

Based on these assessments, necessary adjustments or expansions may be considered in the future.

Part of the Government's Welfare Guarantees

Free bus travel for women was one of the flagship promises made during the assembly election campaign. The Priyadarshini Scheme forms part of a broader package of welfare initiatives announced by the government, which also includes:

• A monthly stipend of ₹1,000 for college-going girls,
• An increase in welfare pensions to ₹3,000,
• Health insurance coverage of up to ₹25 lakh per household,
• Interest-free loans of up to ₹5 lakh for young entrepreneurs.

The launch of the scheme marks a significant step in Kerala's efforts to make public transport more inclusive while supporting women and transgender commuters through direct financial relief.