In Ernakulam free bus travel system for women is introduced

Women passengers aboard a Guruvayur-bound KSRTC ordinary bus from Ernakulam Boat Jetty Bus Stand display their free travel tickets after the launch of free bus travel scheme for women on Monday. | Photo credit: RK Nithin

Once every three days, 57-year-old Ambika Puliyedath boards a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus from the Ernakulam Boat Jetty bus stand to her home in Chavakkad, Thrissur. He often has to rush to the bus stand in the morning after finishing his night shift at Ernakulam General Hospital. These days they spend about ₹220 on shipping alone. They try to make ends meet by the end of the month.

On Monday (June 15, 2026), at 8:30 am, she was at the bus stand to attend the district-level inauguration of the UDF government’s ‘Priyadarshini’ scheme of free bus travel. The center of attention was the Guruvayur-bound bus with registration number KL-15-9632, on board of which the free ticket program was to be inaugurated.

“I travel from this stall regularly. A reliable mode of transport that we don’t have to pay for will make a huge difference in our monthly budget,” said Ms Puliyedath. Fifty-five-year-old Bindumol CD said the scheme would help her save about ₹1,000 every month.

A conductor hands over the first free ticket to Kochi Mayor VK Minimol during the inaugural trip to mark the launch of the state government’s free bus travel program for women at the Ernakulam district level. | Photo credit: RK Nithin

Hibi Eden, MP, launched the programme. Mayor VK Minimol and Ernakulam MLA TJ Vinod spoke.

When it was time to board the bus, the vehicle swarmed with women, including guerrillas and travelers. Conductor S. Surya issued the first zero-fare ticket to Mrs. Minimol. To celebrate the occasion, the bus took a short detour through the town before returning to the stand.

Seventy-three-year-old S. Radhakrishnan, who was traveling to Guruvayur aboard a bus, sat bewildered among a group of excited passengers. “It’s a good plan. It gives women more freedom and mobility,” he said as the bus pulled into the stands.

Passengers bound for Guruvayur remained on board while others disembarked. “It feels like we’re going on a little field trip,” laughed Lulu Nafeesath, a transwoman.

Published – 15 Jun 2026 19:24 IST