Kerala Public Transport Crisis: KSRTC Realities

[Anu]

The public transportation ecosystem in Kerala is undergoing a critical structural crisis. On one side, private bus operators complain about collapsing revenue models and stiff market competition, especially after major welfare initiatives like the Priyadarshini scheme. On the other hand, the state-run Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) grapples with mounting operational losses, rising fuel overheads, and heavy pension liabilities. This comprehensive article delves into the underlying causes of this duality, examining whether the government's policy calculations failed or if public transport should strictly be treated as a subsidized social welfare service rather than a profit-making enterprise, while offering sustainable policy pathways for future transport integration.