50% bus fare concession for acid attack victims in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Acid attack victims will now be eligible for 50% concession in travel fare in private buses in the state.
The transport department had earlier issued an order to include acid attack victims, along with people suffering from various disabilities and visual and hearing impairments, in the list of people who will be eligible for travel fare concession in KSRTC buses.
This will now be made applicable to private buses in the state as well. Transport secretary Biju Prabhakar has issued an order in this regard.
"KSRTC set a model in giving travel fare concessions to eligible persons suffering from various kinds of disabilities. This was done in accordance with the Right of persons with disabilities Act, 2016. It is now being made applicable in private buses also. It is a very small but significant step towards making them feel secure and confident," said Biju Prabhakar. He added that if not for the financial constraints of KSRTC, travel would have been made free of cost for people with disabilities.
As many as 39 cases were registered under acid attack in Kerala between 2018 and 2021. The Right of persons with disabilities Act defines acid attack victims as those disfigured due to violent assaults by throwing of acid or similar corrosive substances.
As per the latest order issued by the transport department, acid attack victims and people suffering from multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, haemophilia, thalassemia, sickle cell disease, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis and multiple disabilities with 40% or more disability will be eligible for 50% concession in travel fare in private buses.
The order is being issued according to the conditions that provide concession in travel fare for people in various disability categories.
Transport authorities said that private buses will also follow the same mode of implementation of the concession as followed by KSRTC.
The disabled persons are issued a travel pass based on an application and medical certificate. This will make them eligible for travelling with 50% fare concession up to a distance of 40km from their houses. The concession is available in city, ordinary, city fast and fast passenger buses.