Private Bus Owner Approaches CCI Seeking Cancellation of Priyadarshini Free Travel Scheme

Thiruvananthapuram: A Thrissur-based private bus owner has approached the Competition Commission of India (CCI), seeking the immediate cancellation of the Priyadarshini free bus travel scheme introduced by the UDF government. With the CCI admitting the petition for consideration, a new legal battle over the validity of the scheme has emerged.

The petition was filed by Bibin T. Alappatt, president of the Thrissur district unit of the Bus Operators Association and state president of the Bus Owners Coordination Committee. The petition alleges that implementing the free travel scheme on KSRTC ordinary buses has undermined the competitiveness of private buses and created an advantage exclusively for the KSRTC.

The government scheme goes against the basic principle of ensuring a level playing field in the market, the petition states. Following its implementation, a large number of women passengers shifted from private buses to KSRTC. The petition says the sole reason for this shift was that travel on KSRTC buses were made free. This resulted in substantial losses in the revenue of private buses and made operating bus services financially unviable.

The petition further states that 750 private buses have already stopped operating due to the losses, while more buses are on the verge of ending their services. The continued loss of women passengers every day is further increasing the financial burden on private bus operators.

The discontinuation of bus services will also result in the loss of employment for thousands of people working in the sector, the petition says.