Kerala Transport Minister C. P. John said the Priyadarshini free-bus travel scheme has seen a strong response since its launch on 15 June 2026 [7].
The program aims to empower women and transgender persons by removing financial barriers to public transport and reducing vehicular pollution. By increasing the use of state-run buses, the government intends to shift passengers away from private vehicles.
John said the Priyadarshini scheme is a "huge success" [0]. According to state data, 12.71 lakh women travel daily under the initiative [1]. During its first month of operation, the program delivered 3.81 crore free journeys [2], resulting in a monetary benefit of Rs 81.29 crore [3].
The surge in ridership has significantly altered the demographics of KSRTC ordinary bus services. The share of women passengers on these buses now ranges between 64 percent [5] and 66 percent [4].
Environmental impacts have also been noted. John said the scheme contributed to a drop in KSRTC carbon-dioxide emissions, though specific units for the reduction from 504 kg were not fully detailed in the report [6].
Despite the reported success from the state government, the private transport sector has reported significant strain. Private bus operators claim a revenue loss of ₹65 crore [8]. This financial pressure has led more than 500 private buses to stop their services [9].
“The Priyadarshini scheme is a "huge success".”
The Priyadarshini scheme demonstrates a rapid shift in public transit usage and gender-based mobility in Kerala. While the state reports high social and environmental gains, the resulting friction with private operators suggests a systemic conflict between government-subsidized social welfare and the viability of private transport infrastructure.
