SchemesFriday, 17 July 2026·The Hindu - National
Kerala’s Priyadarshini scheme lifts women ridership on KSRTC ordinary buses
After Kerala’s Priyadarshini free travel scheme, women’s daily ridership on KSRTC ordinary buses rose from 6.48 lakh to 12.12 lakh.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In July 2026, Kerala Transport Minister C.P. John said the Priyadarshini free travel scheme for women and transgender people raised the average daily women ridership on KSRTC Ordinary buses from 6.48 lakh to 12.12 lakh.
Key specifics
- The increase in women ridership was 87.0% on KSRTC Ordinary buses.
- Women’s share on Ordinary buses rose from 50.9% to 66.6% after the scheme.
- Total average daily KSRTC ridership, including Ordinary and super-class services, increased from 19.03 lakh to 24.53 lakh.
- The minister said women now account for about two-thirds of the capacity of Ordinary buses.
- The Kerala government also approved Transport Management Committees in each depot for KSRTC development.
Exam lens
Question type: welfare scheme and transport data; remember Priyadarshini, 6.48 lakh to 12.12 lakh, 87.0% rise, and 50.9% to 66.6% share. TNPSC may ask how free travel schemes affect public transport demand and ridership.