UDF’s free bus travel for women may face KSRTC reality check; management flags huge losses
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The incoming UDF government’s pre-poll promise of free bus travel for women is unlikely to be implemented universally across all Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) services, sources indicate. The cash-strapped public transport utility is preparing to brief the new government on the severe financial implications of the move.
According to internal estimates, a blanket rollout of the scheme would slash KSRTC’s daily revenue by up to ₹3.2 crores, which translates to a staggering monthly burden of ₹96 crores. For a corporation already drowning in a ₹3,100-crore debt, this could prove catastrophic. KSRTC currently relies heavily on state interventions, with the government pumping in ₹80 crores for pensions and ₹50 crores for salaries on a monthly basis just to keep the wheels turning.
Data shows that women account for 40% of KSRTC's ridership, contributing significantly to its current average daily revenue of ₹8 crores. Transport experts note that if free travel is implemented, a massive migration of women commuters from private buses to KSRTC is inevitable, further straining the public fleet.
Despite the fiscal hurdles, the UDF leadership is keen on clearing the proposal as one of its debut cabinet decisions. In preparation, KSRTC has already modified its electronic ticketing machines (ETMs) to log the gender of commuters, allowing data analysts to gauge the precise financial impact of the scheme.
To bridge the gap between political will and financial reality, the management is reportedly considering two alternative models successfully deployed in neighbouring states:
- Tamil Nadu Model: Restricting free travel exclusively to dedicated "Pink Buses" operated for women, as seen in Chennai's MTC.
- Ordinary-Only Model: Limiting the free-ride concession strictly to city and ordinary services, exempting fast passenger and luxury fleets, similar to strategies adopted by other states.
A final decision will depend on how the new administration balances its flagship welfare promise against the survival of the state's transport lifeline.