Kerala Private Bus Operators Oppose Free KSRTC Travel for Women

Private bus operators in Kerala have strongly opposed the United Democratic Front (UDF) coalition's proposal to provide free travel for women on state-run KSRTC buses. T. Gopinathan, State General Secretary of the All Kerala Bus Operators Organisation (AKBOO), criticized the move as unilateral, arguing that the government failed to consult private stakeholders before announcing the election promise. He highlighted that women and students constitute the majority of passengers on private buses. If women shift to free KSRTC services, private operators would be left primarily with student passengers, severely impacting their financial viability. Gopinathan warned this could hinder operators' ability to pay wages and cover fuel costs. He contrasted Kerala's high density of private buses with the lower numbers in neighboring Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, emphasizing the unique local context. The AKBOO also recalled assurances from Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan during his pre-election tour that their concerns would be addressed. Meanwhile, KSRTC has started collecting gender-disaggregated passenger data to prepare for the potential implementation of the scheme. The operators are urging the UDF to reconsider and hold discussions before proceeding.