Adding to the commuting woes of the passengers, nearly 150 buses of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) have been stacked away at various depots in the Ernakulam Zonal-level owing to shortage of tyres and spare parts.
According to officials with the Zonal office, the months of April and May usually generate much revenue for the KSRTC owing to the vacation season. .
“We had send constant reminders to the Thiruvananthapuram office about the shortage of spare parts. However, the supply is not proportionate,” the official said and added that the shortage of tyres, which had been a huge problem for the past one month, is slowly being resolved.
A V Francis, state secretary, INTUC-affiliated union said that the delay in inviting tenders for new tyres had resulted in the shortage. “Every year in March, new tenders are invited for tyres. However, owing to the financial crunch, the KSRTC was unable to do so this year,” he said. He added that over 40 buses have been affected due to the shortage of tyres.
“The supply of tyres have begun. The tenders have been called and hopefully, the issue will be completely sorted out in the following week,” Francis added.
Meanwhile, a lapse in the quality of tyre control was another factor that contributed to the shortage of tyres.
“During the summer months, low floor AC buses are in much demand. We are trying our best to repair the buses on time. However, the heavy expense incurred to procure spare parts for these buses is a major hurdle,” another KSRTC official said.
Meanwhile, the shortage of drivers and conductors have resulted in many buses keeping off the roads. On the issue, Ernakulam ATO P S Rajakumar said a fresh batch of drivers and conductors have already been recruited through the PSC. “They are currently undergoing training and will soon join service by the end of this month,” he said.
Source: New Indian Express
