KSRTC ordinary buses to be cleaned only once a month

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has decided to limit full cleaning of its ordinary buses to once a month. On other days, only basic interior cleaning with a brush will be performed. KSRTC is reducing cleanliness standards for these buses, despite their high passenger volume, due to challenges in finding staff for washing.

To address the issue of staffing, KSRTC has increased the pay for washing ordinary buses from Rs 50 to Rs 70. However, the pay for basic brushing has been set at Rs 15.

Electric buses, which cost Rs 98 lakh each, and low-floor JNNURM buses, will also be fully washed only once a month. It is recommended to wash the exterior of these buses every two days, however, the interior cleaning will now be done only monthly.

Only AC Volvo-Scania, Super Deluxe, Express, and Superfast buses are thoroughly cleaned after each journey. Super and Fast Passenger buses have their exteriors washed daily, with interior cleaning using a brush once a week.

Plans to purchase machinery for bus washing have not yet been implemented. Currently, buses are washed by temporary staff at depots. Officials stated that there is a schedule for bus cleaning, but if buses are excessively dirty, additional cleaning is arranged as needed.