Kerala private bus sector faces crisis over free travel scheme

The private bus sector in Kerala is grappling with severe financial instability as the government-introduced Priyadarshini free travel scheme draws passengers away from private operators. Faced with dwindling revenues and high operational costs, bus owners report that women passengers have largely abandoned private services in favor of the state-sponsored program.

The resulting revenue loss has intensified competition between private bus crews, leading to frequent altercations and pressure on drivers to bypass stops or ignore traffic regulations to maintain schedules. Operators are now seeking government intervention to address the mounting crisis and ensure the viability of their services.

Editor's note: The article is too thin. It ignores significant statistics provided in the source, such as the 700 buses that ceased operations, the ₹267 crore liability, and the specific fare hike demands.

This article is AI-generated and fact-gated. Original reporting: The Hindu