MALAPPURAM: The point-to-point (PP) fast passenger services of KSRTC, which were introduced in Vazhikadavu-Kozhikode route a year ago, are running at a loss even after revising time schedule.
The authorities had announced that 10 services would be introduced in the route, but only four services were introduced so far and in the last four days, only three services have been operating in the route.
After finding that the unscientific time schedule of the services is mainly causing the loss in revenue, the authorities had revised the time schedule of PP services in the route. But it also did not help to increase the revenue.
It is learnt that the authorities of Nilambur depot are being forced to cancel at least one service a day mainly due to the unavailability of spare parts and tyres. Sources of Nilambur sub-depot said that the poor condition of buses, which are operating as fast passenger PP services, is one of the major reasons for the cancellation of service.
The sources at KSRTC Nilambur, said that the daily collection of each PP buses are only Rs 8,000 to Rs 9,000 and the services cannot be operated without having a daily collection of at least Rs 11,000 for each bus.
“The revenue per kilometer is Rs 17 against the required revenue of Rs 26 per kilometer. We cannot continue the services with the existing collection,” said a source.
It was in May, 2013, the corporation started the PP services in Malappuram district. The services are fast passenger services with lesser number of stops than the Town-to-Town services of the KSRTC.
The PP services starting from Vazhikadavu town, are stopping at Chungathara, Chanthakkunnu, Nilambur, Manjeri and Kondotty. The running time of PP services between Vazhikadavu and Kozhikode is 1 hour and 50 minutes.
The station master in-charge of Manjeri depot of the KSRTC, Shaji S, said that there was a warm response for the PP services from the commuters as the running time of the buses between Kozhikode from Manjeri is only 1 hour.
“We are yet to find out the reason for revenue loss,” he said.
Times of India