KSRTC’s new mini-fast passenger service: Here’s what you should know

The Kerala government has given the green signal to the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC)’s new mini-fast passenger service following a successful trial run from the Pathanapuram KSRTC depot. The government has decided to implement the project, with the service expected to commence within a month.

Trial run and selection process

The trial run involved buses from three private companies, with services operating on different routes. One bus served the Pathanapuram-Nedumkandam-Kattappana route, while the other two handled local services. After evaluating the trial results, the bus operating on the Kattappana route was found to be the most efficient and suitable. This 37-seater bus will now be used for the project.

The Pathanapuram-Kattappana trial run took place from July 29 to August 8, with two daily services. The other two buses underwent trial runs from June 7 to June 28 and June 29 to July 28, respectively. The key advantage of these minibuses is their lower diesel consumption, which contributes to cost efficiency.

Previous project and revival

KSRTC had previously attempted a similar minibus service in 2001, but the project was abandoned due to significant losses. Frequent breakdowns and high maintenance costs rendered the service unsustainable at that time. However, learning from past experiences, the authorities conducted a month-long trial run to test the reliability and efficiency of buses from various companies.

Passenger feedback and bus features

The bus chosen for the new service was selected based on feedback from passengers. Authorities collected evaluations on seating capacity, travel comfort, interior space, and temperature levels inside the bus. In addition, the bus will be equipped with modern facilities such as a charging system to enhance passenger convenience.