Thiruvananthapuram, June 11 -- The scheme offering free rides for women in Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses will be implemented starting June 15 only in the "ordinary" class of buses, Kerala chief minister VD Satheesan announced on Wednesday.

"Ordinary" class of KSRTC buses mostly ply on short-distance, local routes within a large city or between two towns. The scheme will be implemented in "ordinary" buses on a pilot basis, and further studies will determine whether it is expanded to other long-distance bus categories, such as "fast passenger", "superfast", "super express", and "Minnal", the chief minister added.

"The monthly cost of the scheme would be between Rs.65 and Rs.70 crore. Annually, the state will bear a...