Soon after the launch of the United Democratic Front (UDF) government’s flagship ‘Priyadarshini free travel scheme’ for women and transgender persons on ordinary buses operated by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), a controversy has hit the project, with a section of commuters and critics alleging that there have been concerted attempts by the public utility to rebrand ordinary buses as City Fast buses to bypass the scheme’s norms.

As per the scheme, free travel is available only on ordinary buses belonging to seven selected categories, while City Fast buses, along with inter-district and inter-State Fast, Super Fast and luxury buses, have been excluded from the project in the first phase of 100 days.

A section of commuters alleged that the number of buses carrying the City Fast tag swelled overnight in Thiruvananthapuram city on Monday, depriving many passengers of the benefits of the scheme .They alleged that City Fast stickers were affixed to buses parked in and around the Thiruvananthapuram City depot to deny passengers the benefits of the free travel scheme.

However, the authorities clarified that the scheme is not available on City Fast services in the first phase and that the stickers were affixed to help passengers easily identify these buses.

“There are 34 ordinary buses in the city depot. Of these, 32 are electric buses and two are diesel buses. All of them have been branded with the ‘Priyadarshini Free Travel’ stickers. Apart from this, 47 City Fast buses are continuing to operate as before, and only City Fast stickers have been affixed to them,” city depot authorities said.

Currently, free travel is available on Ordinary, City Ordinary, Limited Stop Ordinary, Point-to-Point, Gramavandi, Fair Stage Limited Stop and Town-to-Town Limited Stop services.

At present, 384 City Fast buses and 687 Ordinary buses are operating in Thiruvananthapuram district. In addition to ordinary services, City Fast services are operated extensively only in Thiruvananthapuram city compared to rest of the State.

As per the latest government tariff notification dated April 30, 2022, the minimum fare for City Fast services has been fixed at ₹12, with a charge of ₹1.03 per km. Meanwhile, the minimum fare for City Ordinary services is ₹10, with a charge of ₹1 per km.