No fast and superfast, free travel for women only in KSRTC's ordinary?

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will limit the free bus travel scheme for women to ordinary buses only. The move to limit it to ordinary buses follows the assessment of the KSRTC expert committee that it is not practical to allow free travel on buses including fast passenger. The panel pointed that if free fares are introduced in long-distance services and services with reservation facilities, KSRTC will have to face a severe financial crisis.

If the scheme is implemented, the government will fully pay the loss in ticket revenue to KSRTC in advance. It is estimated that a large amount will have to be found for this. Approximately Rs 90 to 100 crores per month will have to be found for this. This is in addition to the Rs 80 crore the government presently gives for salaries and pensions in the corporation.

KSRTC, which had about 35 lakh passengers per day before the Covid pandemic, has presently reduced to less than 25 lakhs. With the start of free travel, a huge increase in the number of passengers is expected. Chief Minister V D Satheesan has informed that the government aims to implement the project on June 15 itself. The official announcement will be made after the next cabinet meeting. Initially, the project will be implemented only in ordinary services, and if it is found to be successful in the future, the government will later consider expanding it to other services.