Kerala Introduces Gender Ticketing in State Buses

The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has started the process to implement gender ticketing in its buses across the state, with a circular issued to public utility officials on Friday outlining measures to introduce the system. The move is part of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) election promise to provide free travel for women in state transport buses.

The gender ticketing system will require conductors to record the gender of passengers in Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETMs), which will be indicated on printed tickets. The corporation is estimating the financial obligations of offering free travel for women, with similar schemes already implemented in neighboring Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

The introduction of gender ticketing is a step towards fulfilling the UDF's election promise, which was well-received by women voters in the state. The corporation will need to assess the financial implications of the scheme, given its current cash-strapped situation.

The KSRTC will continue to update its Electronic Ticketing Machines and train conductors to implement the gender ticketing system, with the aim of providing free travel for women in the state. The corporation's next steps will involve monitoring the financial impact of the scheme and adjusting its operations accordingly. The state government is expected to review the progress of the scheme and provide further guidance on its implementation.