Kerala private bus operators to march against free travel scheme impact

Private bus operators across Kerala are set to stage a march to the state Secretariat on October 14 to press for protective measures for their sector, which they contend faces existential pressure from the government's Priyadarshini scheme offering free travel to women passengers.

The proposed demonstration reflects growing concerns within the private transport industry over revenue losses as the state government expands its free travel initiative. Operators argue that the scheme, while aimed at supporting women commuters, threatens the financial viability of private bus services that have long served as a critical component of Kerala's public transport ecosystem.

The agitation underscores a broader tension between the state's social welfare objectives and the commercial interests of private transport providers. Private operators have sought clarity on compensation mechanisms and other policy interventions that could offset projected income reductions resulting from the free travel scheme.

The march comes as the Kerala government implements one of India's most ambitious free public transport initiatives for women. State authorities have maintained that the scheme aligns with the government's social welfare priorities, though implementation details affecting private operators remain contested.