Stickers to be affixed in KSRTC ordinary buses carrying women for free

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A decision has been taken to affix stickers on KSRTC's ordinary buses carrying women as part of free transportation. The stickers are affixed as ordinary and city fast buses are of the same color. Free travel will not be allowed on city fast buses. The government will release more information about the project today.

The project will be inaugurated by Chief Minister V D Satheesan by travelling from Thampanoor to the Secretariat at 8.30 am on Monday. Ministers K Muraleedharan, Bindu Krishna, Thulasi and others will attend the inaugural function.

The cabinet convened yesterday had approved the project to provide free travel to all women and transgenders, regardless of age or income. The government will compensate for the annual revenue loss of Rs 800 crore that KSRTC will incur through free travel.

The project, which was an election promise of the UDF, will be implemented from Monday under the name 'Priyadarshini'. The chief minister said the next phase of the project will be entered into within six months by purchasing more buses, increasing schedules and increasing advertising revenue. It is estimated that free travel will be implemented in services including Fast Passenger, Town-to-Town and City Fast.

The government will have a liability of 65 to 70 crores per month through free travel. Currently, 1500 crores are paid to KSRTC every year for expenses including salaries and pensions. In addition to that, the government will also bear the cost of free travel.