The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has issued a clarification regarding the controversy surrounding the newly launched ‘Priyadarshini’ free travel scheme for women. Responding to allegations circulating on social media that ordinary buses were being rebranded as City Fast buses to reduce the number of free rides, KSRTC officials stated that the stickers were applied solely to help passengers distinguish between the two services and avoid confusion.

According to the City Depot authorities, the free travel scheme is strictly applicable to ordinary services and does not cover City Fast services. To prevent passengers from mistakenly boarding City Fast buses expecting free rides, “City Fast” stickers were affixed to those specific buses. Currently, the City Depot operates 34 ordinary buses—including 32 electric and 2 diesel buses—all of which have been clearly marked with the “Priyadarshini Women’s Free Travel” label. Meanwhile, the 47 existing City Fast buses continue to run with their designated stickers.

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The authorities detailed that the free travel facility is available on various ordinary categories, including City Ordinary, Limited Stop Ordinary, Point-to-Point, Gramavandi, Fare Stage Limited Stop, and Town-to-Town Limited Stop buses. However, it is not applicable to Fast Passenger, Super, Super Class, or City Fast services. Currently, there are 687 ordinary buses operating across the district alongside 384 City Fast buses. While the minimum fare for City Ordinary is Rs 10 (Rs 1.00 per km), the City Fast minimum fare stands at Rs 12 (Rs 1.03 per km). The scheme was officially inaugurated at Thampanoor with women drivers and conductors leading the maiden service.