In what can be called a case of better late than never, the cash-strapped Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) seems to have finally woken up to the potential of the Ernakulam-Bangalore route.
The corporation, which is currently setting a record in losses, will launch five new super deluxe semi-sleeper buses on this busy route which has been monopolized by greedy and unscrupulous private players. As part of modernizing the fleet, the corporation will also induct two multi-axle buses to ply on inter-state routes
Currently, KSRTC has only two services from Ernakulam to Bangalore. These buses are, however, regular express buses without air suspension that makes for an uncomfortable journey. Each deluxe bus costs about Rs 40 lakh.
The new 42-seater buses will come with air suspension and pushback seats. “The present 38-seater express service buses do not have the pushback facility or air suspension,” said S K Suresh Kumar, ATO, KSRTC. “The new buses can also be used for services within the state if required,” he added.
For the last three months, the Ernakulam depot was operating only two services to Bangalore after the corporation slashed services due to lack of buses.
Work on the buses is being completed at the Thiruvananthapuram central depot workshop, and services are expected to start in two weeks.
Meanwhile, Ernakulam depot will get two new multi-axle AC buses which will operate on inter-state routes.
“Most other state transport services have been operating multi-axle buses for a long time. It’s high time we started such a service,” said Suresh Kumar. “The Volvo buses are also under construction,” he added.
Predictably, techies from the city were happy to hear about the new service.
“The private multi-axle buses are much faster and help us get to work on the same day. If KSRTC can manage the same speed and time, then the service will help us reach Bangalore at a much cheaper rate,” said Ajith Sasidharan, an IT professional working in Bangalore.
Times of India
