Thiruvananthapuram, June 9 -- Kerala transport minister CP John on Monday said the scheme to offer free rides for women in state-run buses, one of the newly installed UDF government's key poll promises, will cost the exchequer between Rs.712 crore and Rs.1,300 crore annually, depending on the extent of its implementation.

John told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram that the free bus ride scheme would be implemented in Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses from June 15 for women and transgender persons across the state.

"All women, regardless of their financial backgrounds, will be able to avail the scheme from June 15. Transgender persons have also been included. The finer details of the scheme's implementation, such as th...