No Revenue After Priyadarshini Scheme Began; Cheenikkas Discontinues Operations. Priyadarshini Scheme

Thrissur: The long-running Cheenikkas private bus service on the Chalakudy–Malakkappara route has been discontinued after serving passengers for 65 years. The operators attributed the decision to heavy financial losses following the introduction of the KSRTC Priyadarshini service. Employees marked the final journey by placing a wreath on the front of the bus.

According to the bus management, the service had earlier earned around ₹10,000 in daily collections. However, after the launch of the Priyadarshini service, daily revenue reportedly declined by ₹4,000 to ₹4,500.

The workers alleged that the crisis worsened after permits were granted to other transport buses to operate on the same route at intervals of just five minutes besides the KSRTC Priyadarshini buses. Of the three services previously operated by the company, one had already been withdrawn earlier. The remaining services have now also been discontinued.

With the closure of the Cheenikkas service, only four KSRTC buses remain in operation on the Malakkappara route. Employees also shared videos on social media showing a wreath placed on the front of the bus to mark its final trip.