KMT incurs R2.5L daily, plans to improve service

Kolhapur: Despite being given a grant of Rs 80 lakh monthly by the

Kolhapur

Municipal Corporation (KMC), the

Kolhapur Municipal Transport

(KMT) is dealing with losses to the tune of Rs 2.5 lakh per day.

The daily revenue target of the

KMT buses

is expected at Rs 10.50 lakh. Contrary to the figure, the municipal transport system is generating revenue of about Rs 8 lakh per day. The shortfall is mainly due to the less number of passengers travelling against the expected numbers.

The passenger fares are the only major source of revenue for the KMT administration. Recently, the corporators in the standing committee slammed the transport administration for demanding more grants. They demanded the KMT administration to work on lessening the losses as early as possible. Contrary, they do not expect the KMT to be a profitable organisation.

A senior KMT official requesting anonymity said, “We are trying hard to increase the passenger count by not changing the fares for a long time and providing prompt service to them. We have inducted several new buses which will help us to increase the passenger count in the next few months. We have also managed to bring down losses to some extent, however, we have to ensure that the daily losses are reduced further. We are getting the monthly grant of around Rs 80 lakh, most of which is spent on the salaries and pensions of the KMT staff.”

The KMC has recently transferred some parking lots to the KMT administration to run and earn the revenue. At present, the parking slot at CPR Hospital is handed over to the KMT. However, for running the major parking lots such as Bindu Chowk, the KMT is relying on private firms.

The officials claimed that if they start running the parking lots of themselves, the KMT staff have to be deployed which is not feasible at the current available strength. “We are exploring other options to increase revenue. These days the fuel prices have increased which is eating up much of the expenses made daily. We have been asked to draft a report of the current financial situation which will be tabled before the transport committee and standing committee. Based on the report, we are expecting the suggestions from the elected representatives to make the transport service financially feasible,” said the official.