KSRTC Announces Free Travel for Cancer Patients on All Services
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Transport Minister K. B. Ganesh Kumar announced on Wednesday that cancer patients undergoing treatment will be granted free travel on all Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses. The significant announcement, made during a session in the Legislative Assembly, aims to alleviate the financial burden on patients commuting for critical medical care.
The minister stated that complete free travel will be extended to cancer patients traveling for radiation and chemotherapy across all KSRTC bus services, ranging from Superfast to ordinary buses. This comprehensive initiative ensures that patients will not incur any travel costs on state-run public transport while accessing their essential treatments.
To avail the free travel facility, patients will be required to present a certificate from their treating doctor and obtain a special pass. It has been confirmed that the KSRTC Director Board is expected to take an immediate decision today itself (October 9, 2025) to implement this new policy, making it operational without delay. The scheme is inclusive, also covering patients who are receiving treatment at private hospitals.
During the announcement, Minister Ganesh Kumar also criticized members of the opposition for their disruptive behavior. He emphasized the profound impact of this policy on patients, stating, “This might not be a big deal for the opposition. When the announcement was made, the opposition said ‘shame, shame.’ It might be a shame for the opposition, but for patients, this is a big deal.”
He further clarified that the credit for this broad-ranging announcement should not be claimed by the United Democratic Front (UDF), noting that a previous order in 2012 only offered a 50 percent concession on city and ordinary buses. Minister Ganesh Kumar highlighted that the current declaration applies to all KSRTC bus services across the state, from Superfast services downwards, underscoring its wider scope and benefit to the public.