12.88 lakh daily users: Priyadarshini, Kerala's free bus rides scheme, turns 100

Kerala marked 100 days of the Priyadarshini scheme after more than 12 crore free KSRTC rides for women. The government says the initiative has expanded mobility, boosted ridership and widened access to work, study and travel.

In Short

• The scheme logged 12.62 crore free rides within its first 100 days
• Around 12.88 lakh women used KSRTC ordinary buses daily across Kerala
• Overall KSRTC ridership rose 43 per cent without reducing male passengers

Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Tuesday marked 100 days of the state government's 'Priyadarshini' scheme, which gives women free travel on KSRTC ordinary service buses, and called it a historic milestone for women's empowerment and mobility in the state.

In a post on X, Satheesan said the scheme, one of the Indira guarantees announced by the UDF during its poll campaign, has recorded 12.62 crore free rides since its launch, with 12.88 lakh daily users. He said the scheme has supported students, workers and everyday commuters, while overall ridership on Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses rose by 43 per cent without affecting male passenger numbers.

"Celebrating 100 days of the Priyadarshini KSRTC free travel scheme a historic milestone in women empowerment and mobility in Kerala! 12.62 crore free rides: empowering women and transgender individuals on KSRTC ordinary services. 12.88 lakh daily users: providing vital support for students, workers, and everyday commuters.

"Tourism growth: a 94 per cent surge in women travellers heading to destinations like Gavi and Ponmudi. Inclusive success: overall KSRTC ridership grew by 43 per cent without affecting male passenger numbers," the Chief Minister said in his post.

State Transport Minister C P John said the first 100 days of the scheme, launched on June 15, 2026, would be "written in golden letters" in the history of Keralam's public transport system. "From here on the number of travellers will continue to increase," he told reporters. He also said there would be no increase in the number of Priyadarshini buses, but buses on some routes would be rearranged or shifted to other routes. "Instructions have been issued to do it," the minister said.

On Monday, John had said there had been a 60 per cent increase in the number of women travelling on state transport corporation buses. He also said celebrations would be held at 93 KSRTC depots to mark the 100-day milestone of the Priyadarshini scheme.

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