Thiruvananthapuram, 30 Oct (H.S.): Keralam's Priyadarshini free bus travel scheme recorded nearly 15 crore journeys by women and transgender passengers in 115 days, even as private bus operators announced an indefinite strike from November 3, alleging mounting losses.

Presenting the figures in the Assembly, Transport Minister C.P. John said beneficiaries made an average of 13.04 lakh trips daily. Travel under the scheme increased by 101 per cent compared with corresponding passenger numbers before its introduction.

The cumulative journeys translate into approximately eight free trips for every girl and woman in Kerala. Official figures place daily usage at the equivalent of seven per cent of the state’s female population, against 3.5 per cent earlier.

Women and transgender passengers now account for more than 60 per cent of travellers on KSRTC ordinary buses. Total daily passenger journeys across the corporation’s services have consequently crossed 27 lakh.

However, the increased demand has intensified pressure on the available fleet, particularly during peak hours. Against 5,765 registered buses, KSRTC currently has 4,468 vehicles available to operate 4,663 daily schedules. Its ordinary services depend on 2,617 buses out of a fleet of 3,125.

John reiterated that the scheme had not affected private bus revenue, a position strongly disputed by operators.

The Bus Operators’ Federation claimed that more than 500 private buses stopped services during the past month because of heavy losses. It said women, a major passenger segment, had shifted to KSRTC, and described the government’s proposed measures as inadequate.

A member of the high-level expert committee that examined the issue, however, rejected attempts to attribute the private sector’s difficulties entirely to Priyadarshini.

The member said granting micro, small and medium enterprise status and reorganising schedules could help private operators remain viable. The conflicting assessments have sharpened the dispute as operators prepare to proceed with their announced indefinite strike next week.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman