Bus that offered free travel for men fined for permit violation in Kerala

The Motor Vehicles department (MVD) on Friday (July 3, 2026) imposed a fine on the operator of a private bus that had drawn attention after its owner reportedly announced free travel for men in response to the ‘Priyadarshini’ free bus travel scheme for women on KSRTC buses. The operator was fined for allegedly cancelling a scheduled service in violation its permit conditions.

The fine was imposed on the operator of the private bus plying the Aluva-Manjaly route. According to MVD officials, regular passengers complained that the bus had cancelled its afternoon service. An inquiry by the department found that the bus had failed to operate its scheduled trip between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Officials said cancelling a scheduled service amounted to a violation of the permit conditions, following which a fine of ₹7,500 was imposed on the operator.

The bus owner reportedly told officials that the afternoon trip was cancelled due to poor patronage and to avoid financial losses, despite the free-travel offer for men. Private bus operators have raised objections to the Priyadarshini scheme, citing financial losses as more women passengers opt for KSRTC buses.