Kerala village becomes first to start free bus for women, kids: Men too can ride, but with a twist

The quaint countryside of  Triprangode in Kerala’s Malappuram was elated when their own free bus service was flagged off recently. Women and children were mostly the passengers, and the conductor didn’t go up to them to give them tickets. They happily stepped down at their respective stops, planning to catch the same bus the next day too. With this bus service, the village became the first in the state to launch such a programme. However, men can also use it if they are ready to purchase tickets. As the service became a grand success on the first day, the panchayat officials plan to extend this to the next financial year. The bus will have multiple routes, including major stops like Chamravattam, Perunthalloor, Alingal, Alathiyoor, Poozhikunnu and BP Angadi inside the panchayat.

Service details
The panchayat had allotted Rs 10 lakh for this project in the last budget. When the project was approved, the panchayat requested for a KSRTC bus. The corporation allowed them a bus under the Grama Vandi project. The service, meanwhile, was flagged off after a few rounds of test runs. The bus that begins service at 7 am reaches each and every corner of the panchayat, transporting people to their destinations. The panchayat will meet the expenses of running the KSRTC bus.

The schedule
The village KSRTC bus begins service from Athanipadi at 7 am. The routes are Chamravattam temple - Chamravattam school – Anozhukkupalam – Kurikkalpadi – Perunthalloor – Alingal- -IMCH – Alathiyoor – Kuttichathanpadi – Panjanpadi- Poozhikunnu - Vadakke Angadi – Koloopalam – Poilissery – Hanumankavu – Paverikkara – Kainikkara – Karathoor – Kodaikal – Beeranchira – Chembumpadi – Anapadi - Tripangode temple - Ottumpuram via Aliyathoor – Kuttichathanpadi, Panjanpadi, Poozhikunnu, Garudankavu, Talookkara, Annasseri – Alathiyoor – Beeranchira – Perunthalloor – Chamravattam – Perunthalloor – Alingal – IMCH – Alathiyoor – Panjanpadi – Paverikkara – Kainikkara – Anappadi – Alingal – Kaimalaserry – Alingal – ICMH – Alathiyoor. The bus will run services in these routes non-stop until 7 pm.