Transport corporation to buy cheaper buses for long-distance routes

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala state road transport corporation (KSRTC) has decided to procure smaller and cheaper air-conditioned buses running on diesel for long-distance routes that will be categorized at the next class above superfast buses.

To begin with, as many as 15 new buses with 41 seats will be purchased from Tata. The cost of each bus has been worked out to Rs 38 lakh, which is much cheaper compared to other AC luxury buses that are usually procured by the corporation. It is reliably learnt that the corporation authorities have already made a detailed examination of the vehicle, including undertaking a test drive, before placing the orders. "We are planning to induct this new fleet into the corporation. Only a few ones will be purchased initially that will be introduced to long routes like T'puram to Palakkad and Kozhikode," transport minister K B Ganesh Kumar told TOI.

According to the corporation authorities, the buses will be operated by excluding the NH where four-laning work is in progress, and once the NH is fully operational, new ones will be operated through the NH. The buses will have a proper advertising panel on the back portion, which will be leased out for advertisements. "We are expecting to earn Rs 5 to 8 lakh for a year by giving the advertising space, which itself would reduce the overall cost significantly. The remaining cost can be recovered without much delay and is expected to become break even soon," KSRTC sources said.

The corporation has also decided to place orders for 15 mini-trucks that will be used as mobile workshops for breakdown assistance. The trucks will have all the spare parts and a driver and an assistant, who would double up as mechanics as well. The trucks will be deployed strategically along the crucial routes in such a manner that they can reach the buses in a short span of time in case of breakdown. .

Meanwhile, the Nava Kerala bus that has undergone modifications will commence its operations in the Kozhikode-Bengaluru sector from May 5. The 26-seater bus will leave from Kozhikode at 4am, reaching Bengaluru at 11.35am and return at 2.30pm from Bengaluru and reach Kozhikode at 10.05pm .