: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation’s (KSRTC) inter-State services that are operated from various towns have turned popular among long-distance commuters with the deployment of multi-axle air-conditioned buses and services on a par with private luxury contract carriages.
The revamping of the KSRTC’s online reservation system for super-class services, introduction of Wi-Fi on buses and the friendly behaviour and attitude of the bus crew have drawn commuters to the inter-State services in a big way. Attractive fares and a slew of passenger-friendly initiatives have made commuters opt for these services.
Bengalaru has now been well connected with various towns and cities in the State with the KSRTC operating 45 schedules daily. In addition to five multi-axle Volvo buses, 21 super-deluxe buses, and two of the 18 Scania that joined the fleet operate daily services from Alappuzha.
“The KSRTC ferries 2,500 commuters daily in one direction to Bengalaru during peak season and we deploy 20 additional buses to cater to the needs of techies and students when there is heavy rush,” KSRTC Chairman and Managing Director Antony Chacko told The Hindu .
The opening of reservation counters at Peria, Kalasipalayam, Majestic (Kampegowda bus station), Shanthi Nagar bus station, Koramangala, and the satellite bus station in Bengaluru and Mysuru has helped the KSRTC in a big way, he said.
The KSRTC has opened an Assistant Transport Office (ATO) in Shanthi Nagar to coordinate the operation. Space has been leased out in a building for the Crew Rest Room and the Karnataka RTC has extended full support to the initiative.
The much-needed inter-State agreement with Goa, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra would be signed soon. “Once this is inked, Bengalaru will be made the hub of the inter-State services of KSRTC,” he added.
At present, the KSRTC operates 354 schedules — 203 to Tamil Nadu and 151 to Karnataka — daily using the inter-State agreement to operate buses in 42,038.5 km in Karnataka and 33,016 km in Tamil Nadu.
Online reservation is being extended to 99 per cent of the inter-State services of the KSRTC now.