On June 15,2026, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan will kick off 'Priyadarshini' free bus travel scheme at Thampanoor bus station, Thiruvananthapuram. Part of Indira Guarantees by United Democratic Front (UDF) government,this move offers free rides for women and transgender individuals on certain ordinary services run by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC).
Scheme will issue 'zero' fare tickets to eligible passengers on 125 KSRTC buses. These will mainly cover routes in Thiruvananthapuram,Kollam,and Ernakulam, with 687 buses for Thiruvananthapuram,415 for Kollam,325 for Ernakulam. All costs picked up by state government.
But not everyone’s on board. Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)),main opposition,plans to boycott the launch. State secretary M.V. Govindan slammed UDF for not fulfilling its promise of free travel across all KSRTC services. Initiative limited to around 1,000 buses,he argues, is too little,especially in northern Kerala where ordinary buses are rare.
Govindan voiced concerns that government misled public by watering down its promises. Cited another unmet pledge on financial support for Accredited Social Health Activists,noting only a minor increase instead of promised ₹21,000. “What they promised is not being implemented. We will not cooperate with programme as it amounts to deceiving the people,” he said .
Mr . John,a government representative,hit back at criticism,saying opposition’s stance is misguided. Urged CPI(M) to rethink, suggesting their approach is counterproductive. Scheme,despite its limits, seen as step forward in boosting public transport access for women and transgender individuals in Kerala…
