Thiruvananthapuram: The state govt’s Priyadarshini free travel scheme for women and transgender persons has led to a 28.9% increase in KSRTC’s average daily ridership, with over 5.5 lakh additional passengers using the state-run bus service every day, said transport minister C P John on Thursday while reviewing the first 50 days of the transport department and the motor vehicles department since he assumed office.The minister said the analysis, based on electronic ticket machine (ETM) data, showed that the average daily ridership on ordinary and super-class services increased from 19.03 lakh to 24.53 lakh passengers. He said the figures indicated that the scheme generated fresh demand for public transport rather than merely shifting existing passengers.The number of women travelling on ordinary services increased by 87%, from an average of 6.48 lakh a day to 12.12 lakh. Women’s share in total ridership on ordinary services also rose from 50.9% to 66.6%.The minister said the number of male passengers on ordinary services remained largely unchanged, indicating that the increase in women passengers had not come at the cost of existing commuters. The additional passengers were accommodated within the existing network.“Priyadarshini is not merely a free travel scheme. It is the foundation for enhancing the mobility and economic participation of women in Kerala. The addition of more than 5.5 lakh passengers every day reflects people’s growing confidence in public transport. It will help reduce traffic congestion, fuel consumption and carbon emission ,” John said.The minister also said that the govt approved the formation of transport management committees in every KSRTC depot to improve its administration and strengthen public participation. The govt also approved the bylaws governing the committees, which will apply to all KSRTC transport depots.The committees will recommend measures to improve infrastructure, sanitation, passenger amenities and canteen facilities, ensure proper maintenance of buses and depot premises, suggest improvements to services and schedules, mobilise additional resources through sponsorships, CSR funding and public contributions, promote local participation and monitor irregularities. Their recommendations on services and schedules will be advisory, with the final decision resting with the corporation.Committee funds will be operated through a joint account of the convener and a CMD-nominated officer. The committees will meet at least once every three months and their tenure will be three years.John said the govt intends to transform KSRTC depots from mere operational centres into public institutions with a sense of community ownership, adding that greater involvement of elected representatives and local bodies would help improve the quality of services.
