Priyadarshini Scheme is a free bus travel initiative by the Kerala Government that provides completely free travel to all women and transgender persons on KSRTC ordinary buses across the state. The scheme carries no age or income restriction. Board any KSRTC ordinary bus, show a valid photo ID, and travel free from June 15, 2026. Visit keralartc.com for more details.
Kerala Priyadarshini Scheme Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Priyadarshini Scheme |
| Launch Date | June 15, 2026 |
| Announced By | Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan |
| State | Kerala |
| Implementing Body | Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) |
| Part Of | Indira Guarantee Programme |
| Eligible Beneficiaries | All women and transgender persons |
| Age Limit | No age restriction |
| Income Limit | No income restriction |
| Key Benefit | Free travel on KSRTC ordinary buses |
| Phase 1 Coverage | 3,239 KSRTC ordinary buses |
| Annual Budget | Rs. 800 crore |
| Documents Required | Any valid government-issued photo ID |
| Official Portal | keralartc.com |
| Helpline | 1800 599 4011 |
Introduction of Kerala Priyadarshini Scheme: A Brief Insight
For millions of women in Kerala, the daily cost of bus travel is a real burden. A working woman commuting to her office, a student travelling to college, or a mother going to a government hospital all spend a significant part of their income just on bus fare every month. To remove this financial barrier and make public transport genuinely accessible, the Kerala Government launched the Priyadarshini Scheme alias Free Bus Ride Scheme for Women and Transgenders.
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan announced the scheme on June 10, 2026, after the Cabinet meeting. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) implements the scheme under the state government’s Indira Guarantee programme. Free travel became available from June 15, 2026.
Under the Priyadarshini Scheme, all women and transgender persons can travel free on KSRTC ordinary buses across Kerala. There is no age limit, no income limit, and no registration required. Simply board a KSRTC ordinary bus, show a valid photo ID to the conductor, and travel free. The conductor issues a zero-value ticket through the Electronic Ticketing Machine on the spot.
In Phase 1, the scheme covers 3,239 KSRTC ordinary buses across all districts of Kerala. The state government fully compensates KSRTC for the revenue shortfall, estimated at approximately Rs. 800 crore annually. Once KSRTC improves its financial position, the government plans to extend free travel to other bus categories as well.
Women in Kerala who want financial support beyond free travel can also explore the Sthree Suraksha Scheme, which provides monetary assistance to eligible women of the state.
Women and transgender persons looking for more welfare programmes available under the Kerala Government can explore all initiatives on our Kerala Government Welfare Schemes page.
Which KSRTC Buses Are Free for Women Under the Priyadarshini Scheme
Many women are unsure which KSRTC buses they can board for free under the Priyadarshini Scheme. The table below clearly shows which bus categories are covered and which are not in Phase 1:
| Bus Category | Free Travel Available |
|---|---|
| Ordinary | Yes, covered under Phase 1 |
| Mofussil (Ordinary) | Yes, covered under Phase 1 |
| Express | No, not covered in Phase 1 |
| Fast Passenger | No, not covered in Phase 1 |
| Super Fast | No, not covered in Phase 1 |
| KSRTC Swift | No, not covered in Phase 1 |
| Garuda / Premium | No, not covered in Phase 1 |
| AC Buses | No, not covered in Phase 1 |
Out of KSRTC’s total 5,089 buses, 3,239 are ordinary class buses covered under Phase 1. The Kerala Government will review extending free travel to other categories after six months, based on KSRTC’s financial performance.
Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries
The Kerala Government provides the following travel benefits to all eligible women and transgender persons under the Priyadarshini Scheme on KSRTC ordinary buses across the state:
- Completely free travel on all KSRTC ordinary buses across Kerala
- No fare charged for any distance or any route on ordinary bus services
- No age restriction – women of all ages can travel free
- No income restriction – women from all income groups are covered
- Transgender persons are covered on equal terms with women
- Zero-value ticket issued by a conductor through the Electronic Ticketing Machine (ETM)
- No prior registration or application required – board and travel directly
- Covers 3,239 KSRTC ordinary buses across all districts of Kerala
Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled
The Kerala Government has kept the eligibility conditions for the Priyadarshini Scheme simple and open so that the maximum number of women and transgender persons can benefit from free travel on KSRTC ordinary buses:
- The traveller must be a woman or a transgender person
- No minimum or maximum age limit – all age groups are eligible
- No income limit – women from all financial backgrounds are eligible
- Must travel on a KSRTC ordinary bus only – other bus categories are not covered in Phase 1
- Must carry a valid government-issued photo identity proof while travelling
Documents Required to be Attached
Women and transgender persons need to carry the following identity proof documents to travel free of cost on KSRTC ordinary buses under the Priyadarshini Scheme of the Kerala Government:
- Aadhaar Card
- Voter ID Card
- Any other valid government-issued photo identity proof
How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme
The Priyadarshini Scheme requires no prior application or registration. Any eligible woman or transgender person can directly board a KSRTC ordinary bus and travel free from June 15, 2026. The process is simple and happens on the spot at the time of boarding.
Step 1: Identify a KSRTC ordinary bus on your route. Look for buses marked “Ordinary” on the destination board. The scheme applies only to KSRTC ordinary buses in Phase 1. Express, swift, and other premium categories are not covered.
Step 2: Board the KSRTC ordinary bus as you normally would. You do not need to purchase a ticket in advance. No online booking or prior registration is needed.
Step 3: When the conductor comes to issue your ticket, show your valid government-issued photo identity proof. Your Aadhaar Card or Voter ID Card is sufficient.
Step 4: The conductor will verify your identity and confirm your eligibility as a woman or transgender person. This is a quick on-board verification process.
Step 5: The conductor will issue a zero-value ticket through the Electronic Ticketing Machine (ETM). This ticket shows your journey details, including origin, destination, and distance, with the fare amount recorded as zero. Keep this ticket for the duration of your journey.
Important: Always carry a valid photo ID while travelling. If a conductor does not issue a zero-value ticket, contact the KSRTC passenger helpline at 0471-2463799 or toll-free at 1800 599 4011 to report the issue. You can also write to cr.ksrtc@kerala.gov.in.
Important Links Available
- KSRTC Official Website
- KSRTC SWIFT Official Portal
- Kerala Government Official Portal
- Kerala Information and Public Relations Department
Contact Details in Case of Help Needed
- Office: Office of the Managing Director, KSRTC, Transport Bhavan, Fort, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Pin: 695023
- Toll Free: 1800 599 4011
- Helpline: 0471-2463799
- Customer Relations: 94470 71021
- Email: cr.ksrtc@kerala.gov.in
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is the Priyadarshini Scheme?
Ans. The Priyadarshini Scheme is a Kerala Government initiative that provides completely free travel to all women and transgender persons on KSRTC ordinary buses across the state. The scheme launched on June 15, 2026, and forms part of the Indira Guarantee programme.
Q. From which date does the Priyadarshini Scheme start?
Ans. The Priyadarshini Scheme started on June 15, 2026.
Q. Who is eligible for the Priyadarshini Scheme?
Ans. All women and transgender persons are eligible. The scheme has no age restriction and no income restriction. Every woman, regardless of her financial background or age, can travel free under this scheme.
Q. Which buses are covered under the Priyadarshini Scheme?
Ans. In Phase 1, the scheme covers only KSRTC ordinary buses. Out of KSRTC’s total 5,089 buses, 3,239 are ordinary class buses. Express, swift, and other premium categories are not covered in Phase 1.
Q. Do I need to register or apply online to use the Priyadarshini Scheme?
Ans. No. There is no registration or prior application required. You can directly board a KSRTC ordinary bus, show your ID proof to the conductor, and travel free.
Q. What documents do I need to carry to avail the Priyadarshini Scheme?
Ans. Carry any valid government-issued photo ID such as an Aadhaar Card or Voter ID Card. The conductor will verify it on board before issuing a zero-value ticket.
Q. What is a zero-value ticket?
Ans. A zero-value ticket is an official ticket issued by the KSRTC conductor through the Electronic Ticketing Machine (ETM). It shows your complete journey details, including origin, destination, and distance, with the fare amount recorded as zero. Keep this ticket for the duration of your journey.
Q. Is there any income limit to avail the Priyadarshini Scheme?
Ans. No. There is no income restriction. Women from all income groups and all walks of life can travel free without any income-related condition.
Q. Will the scheme extend to express and other KSRTC buses in the future?
Ans. The Kerala Government has stated that extending free travel to other bus categories will be considered after a 6-month review of KSRTC’s financial health. Currently, only ordinary buses are covered.
Q. Who compensates KSRTC for the revenue loss due to this scheme?
Ans. The Kerala State Government fully compensates KSRTC for all revenue lost due to the scheme. The annual compensation is approximately Rs. 800 crore, paid separately from the existing annual support of Rs. 1,500 crore.
Q. Is the Priyadarshini Scheme available on private buses in Kerala?
Ans. No. The scheme applies only to KSRTC ordinary buses. Private buses are not covered under this scheme.
Q. What should I do if a conductor refuses to issue a zero-value ticket?
Ans. Contact the KSRTC toll-free helpline at 1800 599 4011 or the passenger helpline at 0471-2463799 to report the issue. You can also write to cr.ksrtc@kerala.gov.in.
Q. Can a woman from outside Kerala avail the Priyadarshini Scheme?
Ans. No official domicile restriction has been announced. Any woman boarding an eligible KSRTC ordinary bus with a valid photo ID can avail the benefit.
Q. What is the Indira Guarantee programme?
Ans. The Indira Guarantee programme is a set of welfare promises made by the Kerala Government during its election campaign. The Priyadarshini free bus travel scheme is one of the key guarantees under this programme.
Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.