KSRTC to hire 600 buses for Sabarimala season; private bus owners can bid
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has invited tenders to hire 600 buses with drivers for special services during the upcoming Sabarimala pilgrimage season. Private bus owners and operator groups can also participate in the tender process.
Of the 600 buses, 400 will be deployed for long-distance Sabarimala services from various KSRTC depots, while 200 ordinary buses will be used for the Pamba-Nilakkal chain service.
Private bus owners and groups must provide at least five buses to participate in the tender. Buses that are less than eight years old will be accepted under the contract, which will cover the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. The agreement may be extended for another year if required. The buses will carry the KSRTC emblem.
63 premium buses also required
KSRTC will also hire 63 premium buses, including 42 sleeper and semi-sleeper buses. Air-conditioned buses will be required for interstate routes.
The corporation is also planning to install air-conditioning systems in 10 existing premium Super Fast buses. Roof-mounted compressor-based AC systems are reportedly being considered.
KSRTC had earlier experimented with electric AC systems, but the initiative was unsuccessful. The latest move comes amid complaints from passengers that the glass-covered buses purchased during the previous government’s tenure become excessively hot.
The contract will follow a wet-lease model, under which the contractors will bear fuel and maintenance costs. Payments will be made based on the distance travelled, while KSRTC will provide the bus conductors.
However, KSRTC has had a mixed experience with bus leasing arrangements. During the first Pinarayi Vijayan government, the corporation had hired 10 Scania buses from Mumbai-based Maha Voyage. The deal was later considered financially unsuccessful.
Nearly half of KSRTC fleet outdated
KSRTC has decided to turn to leased buses as nearly half of its operational fleet of around 4,600 buses has exceeded its recommended service life.
Around 2,050 buses are more than 15 years old, while most of the remaining buses are over 12 years old. The corporation has purchased only 787 buses in the past decade.
The ₹800-crore financial assistance announced by the government is reportedly expected to cover only the losses under the Priyadarshini scheme.
Several buses that have exceeded their prescribed service life are currently being operated under special orders issued by the state government, a practice that is reportedly against central regulations.
With the issue now before the National Green Tribunal, the use of these ageing buses could face restrictions in the near future. The move to hire buses is therefore being considered as a way to avoid potential disruption to KSRTC services.