Countering reports that KSRTC’s low-floor services have failed to rake in profits, the state transport corporation has maintained that the services operated by Ernakulam depot on all major routes enjoy high passenger patronage. According to officials, buses operating between Fort Kochi-CIAL (Nedumbaserry), Aroor- Angamaly, and services from Ernakulam to Aluva, Muvattupuzha and Kothamangalam have high demand.
“June -July is considered the lean period as the collection is low during these months. This is because people tend to avoid public transport during rainy season. Otherwise, on a day these buses have an average collection of Rs 10, 000,” said assistant transport officer, C Venugopal.
He also pointed out that the number of passengers depending on low-floor Vyttila-Vyttila city service and those operating from Ernakulam to Poothotta and Chottanikkara is less compared to other routes. KSRTC officials informed that on an average, a city service generates about Rs 4,500 per day. During heavy rush, the returns go up to Rs 7,000.
Though it is hinted that the transport corporation should get an average collection of Rs 15,000 per day to achieve a break-even, KSRTC maintains that they have successfully operated these buses without any cancellations. The transport officer said that the department has allocated two more low-floor buses to the district.
Ernakulam depot operates 42 AC buses and 8 non-AC buses. Of 120 low-floor buses allocated for the district, 116 are in service. Venugopal said air-conditioned buses are operated by Ernakulam depot as maintenance and repairing facilities are not available in other centres. “The non-AC buses have been distributed to other centres. Though the district was allocated 50 AC buses, we are yet to receive the remaining eight,” he said.
News Courtesy: Times Of India
