Expert panel recommends change in timings of Priyadarshini free bus service for women to offset loss to private buses in Keralam

A panel of experts appointed by the Keralam government to assess the challenges faced by private bus operators following the implementation of the Priyadarshini scheme for women has delivered its report, proposing solutions to alleviate the sector's financial burdens. The committee, led by former Transport Commissioner and retired IPS officer K. Padmakumar, has proposed several measures to compensate for the losses suffered by private operators.

Among its key recommendations is a revision in the timetable of the Priyadarshini service to mitigate the impact on private bus operators' finances. In addition, the committee has suggested leasing private buses to the government at a fixed rate per kilometer, a proposal previously put forth by bus owners. The scheme, launched on June 15, has reportedly led to a significant drop in revenue for around 500 fully operational private buses, with the crisis being most pronounced in Kollam, Pathanamthitta, and Wayanad districts.

Private bus owners had sought the committee's support in the form of financial assistance, similar to the measures provided to KSRTC. The committee's report, submitted after 50 days of deliberation, emerged after hearings in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, and Kozhikode, where private operators expressed their grievances and concerns.

The report was presented to the Chief Minister and Transport Minister on September 2, 2026, following which the Cabinet held a meeting to deliberate on its recommendations. Chief Minister V.D.Satheesan subsequently confirmed to the media that the report contained robust measures aimed at protecting the private bus industry from the effects of the free-ride scheme.