Kerala's Priyadarshini Free Travel Scheme drew an overwhelming first-day response on Monday, 16 June 2025, with more than 13 lakh women and transgender persons travelling free on KSRTC ordinary buses across the state. The scheme, launched by the Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan-led government, recorded 13,29,938 women passengers on its inaugural day — nearly double the 7,34,693 who used the same services on the previous Monday, 8 June.

Scale of the Response

The jump translates to 5,95,245 additional women passengers in a single day compared to the week before. The estimated value of zero-fare tickets issued under the scheme on day one alone stood at ₹2.20 crore, according to government figures. Officials said the turnout has reinforced their projection that the scheme will steadily expand women's participation in public transport in the weeks ahead.

The scheme was formally inaugurated at 9 am at the KSRTC Complex in Thampanoor, Thiruvananthapuram, where Chief Minister Satheesan rang the traditional double bell to mark the launch. Under the initiative, women and transgender persons receive zero-fare tickets on all KSRTC ordinary bus services statewide.

What the Government Said

The state government has positioned the Priyadarshini scheme as a structural welfare measure aimed at enhancing mobility and reducing travel costs, with a stated focus on improving access to education, employment, and essential services for women. Officials described the first-day numbers as a strong validation of the policy design.

Private Operators Cry Foul

The scheme's rollout has not been without friction. Private bus operators, who are also required to provide free travel under the programme, said their initial assessment at the end of Monday night showed they had not recovered even the cost of diesel. An office-bearer of the private operators said they were waiting for a meeting with Chief Minister Satheesan to present their concerns.

'We will assess things, and we are waiting to meet Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan to explain our side,' the office-bearer said.

This tension between the state's welfare ambitions and the financial viability of private operators is likely to be a defining challenge as the scheme scales. Notably, the government has not yet detailed the reimbursement mechanism for private operators — a gap that operators say is unsustainable.

What Comes Next

With the scheme now active, the government's immediate test is whether the reimbursement framework for private operators can be settled quickly enough to prevent a withdrawal of services. Industry observers note that similar free-travel schemes in other states have faced operator attrition within weeks if compensation timelines were not clearly defined. The coming days will reveal whether Kerala's model can balance public welfare with operator viability.