A major milestone in Kerala’s public transport system has been marked with the official launch of free travel for women in KSRTC ordinary buses. Inaugurated at Thampanoor, this welfare scheme allows women to travel free of cost on 3,125 ordinary buses out of the state’s total active fleet of approximately 5,700 buses. Under this new system, female passengers will be issued a physical ticket marked with a zero fare, though they must specify their destination to the conductor for proper ticketing records.

During the event, the history of public transit in the state was highlighted, tracing back to February 20, 1938, when Maharaja Chithira Thirunal initiated the first bus service in Travancore with 33 buses inspired by London models. Over the decades, this has grown into a massive network. To make KSRTC more public-centric, the government plans to decentralize its operations by empowering local self-governments, expanding the ‘Gramavandi’ scheme, and allowing local sponsorships for buses from individuals and institutions.

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In a bid to ensure public participation and better administration, advisory committees will be formed across all 93 KSRTC depots in Kerala. These committees will include local MLAs, MPs, and representatives from all recognized political parties represented in the Legislative Assembly. The initiative, launched in the presence of prominent leaders including V.D. Satheesan, aims to treat KSRTC as a community asset managed for and by the public.