The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has plans to begin more city services in Kochi. The proposal to begin 20 bus services from the city to the Goshree Islands has been held up following a stay order of the court, Transport Minister Jose Thettayil said.
He was referring to a section of private bus operators challenging in court the RTC’s decision to begin service to the islands. Speaking here on Friday evening at a function organised to launch the agency’s nine low-floor non-AC buses in the city, he said that the buses would begin regular services from Saturday along the Chottanikkara-Aluva, Panangad-Aluva and the Njarakkal-Poothotta routes, all passing through Vytilla and Menaka. Parking facilities are being readied for the buses.
“A few people had doubts about the feasibility of operating the 13 Volvo buses (of the total 50 planned) in Kochi. Their daily collection is increasing by the day and is above Rs. 40 per km. We need to enhance it to Rs 48 per km, to achieve the break-even stage.
On a recent day, their total collection in Kochi peaked at Rs 3.33 lakh. The workers manning the buses have been handpicked from among the best in the RTC.”
