KSRTC to Hire 300 Private Buses for Sabarimala Season; Pilgrims to Pay No Additional Fare
Pathanamthitta: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is planning to hire private buses to ease the travel rush during the upcoming Sabarimala pilgrimage season. Around 300 private buses from different depots across Kerala are proposed to operate services to Pamba.
KSRTC is currently examining the tenders received from private bus operators. Preference will be given to buses quoting the lowest rate per kilometre. The tender was invited from operators willing to provide buses along with drivers.
Vehicles less than eight years old, preferably of the tourist-bus category, will be considered. KSRTC is also considering including air-conditioned buses in the services, although the final terms and conditions are yet to be decided.
No Additional Fare for Pilgrims
The current proposal is that pilgrims will not be charged any additional fare for travelling on the hired private buses. The same fares applicable to regular KSRTC services are expected to be charged on these buses as well.
The tender process was initiated following discussions between KSRTC and private bus operators. However, the response to the tender has reportedly been lower than expected. Further decisions will be taken after completing the evaluation of the bids received.
Focus on Fast and Super Fast Services
KSRTC is giving greater priority to Fast and Super Fast services to Pamba, considering the heavy passenger rush expected during the pilgrimage season. There is also a possibility that the Priyadarshini buses currently operating regularly to Pamba may be kept out of service during the Sabarimala season to better manage traffic and operational requirements.
In previous years, KSRTC had purchased new buses ahead of the Sabarimala season to meet the increased demand. However, financial constraints and the age of the existing fleet have prompted the corporation to explore hiring private buses this year.
Fleet Shortage Prompts Private Bus Plan
Several KSRTC buses are already more than 16 years old. Although the Central Government has a policy requiring public-sector vehicles that have completed 15 years to be scrapped, KSRTC has retained a maximum operational life of 20 years for its buses, citing fleet shortages and financial difficulties.
Against this backdrop, hiring private buses is being considered as a temporary measure to ensure uninterrupted services and reduce passenger congestion during the Sabarimala pilgrimage season.