The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation is finally taking some steps to put its A/C Volvo service to Bengaluru, characterized by frequent cancellations, back on track by purchasing a new Volvo for the inter-state service.
This move comes in the face of charges that the corporation has been helping private operators by frequent cancellations of its own service from Thiruvananthapuram to Bangaluru, particularly during peak demand seasons like Onam.
“Reports regarding the move to stop the service is not true. In fact we promise regular services as we’ll be deploying a new Volvo bus in the route. Currently, the route permit will expire by November, but there is ample time to apply for its renewal”, said KSRTC Executive Director (Operations), K.M.Irshad.
Currently, the corporation has three Volvo buses. “Ideally, two vehicle schedules (two spare buses) are required for a one-time schedule (to and fro services). However, currently, the problem is that if the buses develop glitches, it would take some time to repair them as the staff from the company will have to come from Bangaluru to fix them”, sources said.
The Bengaluru service rakes in much revenue, even up to Rs 80,000 per trip. “The high collection even helped close the Rs 5 cr loan which was taken from the KSRTC Employees Society Fund. The new bus will close be purchased with funds from the society”, they said.
While Karnataka and other private bus operators successfully run the AC Volvo services, KSRTC always loses out in the competition due to its frequent cancellation of the popular service.
Karnataka RTC a roaring success due to good service
Cynthia Chandran
Thiruvananthapuram: While the KSRTC here is reeling under diesel shortage and the government is yet to take concrete steps to tackle the crisis, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation tells a different story.
“According to statistics available from Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, they purchased 4,614 buses without the support of the government. Their RTC is a different entity where the government doesn’t interfere in the day-to-day function. They are doing wonders compared to our struggling organisation,” a KSRTC official told DC.
During 2011-12, the Karnataka Transport Corporation made a profit of Rs 62.56 crore. Karnataka’s Principal Secretary to the Government and Transport Secretary Mr P. Ravi Kumar termed their success mantra as varied with minimal interference from the government.
“We have always ensured good service. The quality of buses is top-notch, maintenance up-keep is excellent and the network is connected to all areas. We also have an automatic fare revision formula wherein the fares will be increased when fuel prices go up. From time to time, there will be an increase in the DA of employees too,” Kumar told DC.
He also added that trade unions keep a low profile there as the transport corporation has been doing roaring business. “It is clear that Kerala government is keen to promote the private bus owners as there are dozens of buses operating between the two states. So how will your KSRTC survive the crisis? It needs to have a good management at the helm,” added Mr. Kumar.
Source: Deccan Chronicle
