Kerala Government Forms Expert Panel to Probe Private Bus Crisis Under Priyadarshini Free Travel Scheme

The state’s transport department announced on Monday that a six‑member expert panel will be constituted to look into the "private bus crisis" that has flared up since the Priyadarshini free‑travel scheme for school‑going children was launched. The move, officials say, is meant to balance the noble intent of the scheme with the on‑ground realities that private operators are confronting.

Minister for Transport V. S. Sunil Kumar explained that while the government’s aim – to ease the financial burden on families – is commendable, there have been unexpected knock‑on effects. "We are hearing reports of route cancellations, reduced frequencies and even some operators threatening to pull out entirely," he said during a press briefing. "That is not what we envisioned when we promised free rides for our students."

The panel, chaired by former IAS officer Dr. R. S. Menon, will include representatives from the Kerala Road Transport Corporation, a senior economist from the State Planning Board, a union leader from the private bus fraternity, and two members of the student community. Their mandate is to collect data, hold consultations and submit a detailed report within 90 days.

Critics of the scheme argue that the abrupt removal of fare revenue without a robust compensation mechanism has left many small operators struggling to meet fuel, maintenance and driver‑salary costs. Some have resorted to cutting back on less‑profitable routes, which, in turn, affects commuters in remote pockets of the state.

On the other hand, parents and school administrators have lauded the policy for removing a financial hurdle that often forced children to travel long distances on overcrowded buses. "My son no longer has to beg for a seat," said Shalini Nair, a mother of two from Kozhikode. "He gets on the bus comfortably now, and we don’t worry about paying extra every month."

Balancing these diverging perspectives will be the panel’s biggest challenge. The committee is expected to explore options such as a staggered subsidy model, minimum guaranteed earnings for private operators, and a possible public‑private partnership framework that could sustain the scheme in the long run.

Meanwhile, the transport ministry has assured that no abrupt changes will be made to the scheme before the panel’s recommendations are vetted. "We want to avoid panic among the operators while we work out a fair solution," Minister Sunil Kumar added.

Stakeholders are slated to meet next week in Thiruvananthapuram for the first round of hearings. The outcome could shape not only the future of the Priyadarshini scheme but also set a precedent for how welfare initiatives interact with private transport sectors across India.