Kerala's Priyadarshini scheme for women free bus travel cuts KSRTC carbon emissions per passenger by 20 percent says minister

Kerala transport minister C P John announced that the Priyadarshini scheme, which offers free travel for women on KSRTC ordinary buses, has cut the state-run transporter's carbon output from 504 kg to 404 kg per 1,000 passengers in its first month. The scheme launched on June 15 2026 recorded 3.81 crore trips and doubled daily women ridership from around 5-6 lakh to 12.71 lakh, with women now making up 66 percent of passengers. The minister also reported a 30-48 percent increase in tourist travel to hill stations like Malakkappara and Gavi. The government plans to study the scheme's economic impact on women's revenue. A separate panel has been formed to examine effects on private bus operators, a key concern as free public transport programs scale up.