Private Bus Sector in Crisis as Govt's Priyadarshini Free Travel Scheme Bleeds Revenue, Workers Sell Snacks to Survive

Thiruvananthapuram: The private bus sector has been plunged into acute crisis following the UDF government's decision to grant free travel for women on KSRTC buses, with numerous services being cut within a short span of time. Thousands of workers dependent on the sector have been left without livelihoods, and the government has turned a blind eye to the plight of the private bus industry — which was not given any proper planning or cushion before the free travel scheme was rolled out.

Transport Minister C P John had effectively washed his hands off the matter, telling private buses to find alternative income sources on their own. Following the minister's remarks, workers on buses across the state have been trying to supplement income by selling snacks and other items to passengers — including achappam and murukku. Workers say they have no other way to survive and are going through an extremely difficult period.

Private bus workers in Pathanamthitta said collections that used to be around Rs 9,000 per day have now fallen to less than half. They say they cannot even recover enough to pay for diesel, and that if the government continues in this manner, the industry will not survive much longer.

Around 150 bus owners across the state have already submitted Form G — the provision for suspending service — to avoid paying taxes. As private buses reduce services, regular commuters will face hardship, with students, office-goers and others who need to reach their destinations on time finding the shrinking services a major problem. Longer wait times and overcrowding on KSRTC buses under the Priyadarshini scheme are adding to commuter woes.