Thiruvananthapuram: Nearly half of the buses operated by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will become unfit for use within the next 11 months. By May, when the current government’s term ends, the registration validity of 2,014 buses will expire. Though the Corporation claims to possess 5,062 buses, only around 4,200 are deployed daily. The next government is likely to inherit a severely aged fleet. Within a year of assuming office, another 25 percent of the buses may also have to be withdrawn due to old age.

If the Centre strictly enforces its directive against the use of vehicles older than 15 years, the Corporation will face a serious crisis. The main reason behind this looming issue is the failure of both the government and the Corporation to procure new buses. Only 544 buses have been purchased over the past nine years. After a year-long wait, the approval to procure 143 buses was granted just a few days ago. However, these will not be sufficient to replace the outgoing vehicles.

During the UDF government's tenure (2011–16), 2,578 buses were purchased. Of these, 583 underwent body-building work and were put into service during the first Pinarayi Vijayan government. Since then, no notable procurement has taken place. Disputes related to the revival package and the prolonged deliberation on whether to shift to CNG and electric buses have further delayed the process. KSRTC also turned down the Central Government’s offer of e-buses. As the Centre has declared a complete phase-out of diesel buses from public transport by 2030, questions are also being raised about how long the newly bought diesel buses can remain in operation.

Although the Centre had decided to withdraw buses older than 15 years, Kerala, the first state to implement this rule, later rolled it back. The state, which had made 15 years mandatory for private buses, subsequently extended it to 22 years. Meanwhile, other states continue to strictly enforce the 15-year limit in the interest of passenger safety. Old buses withdrawn from states like Punjab and Rajasthan after 10 years of use are now being brought into Kerala in large numbers.

Outdated buses running without insurance

KSRTC is operating 1,194 buses whose registrations have already been cancelled. A provision that exempts public sector transport corporations from mandatory insurance is currently working in KSRTC’s favour. However, once a vehicle's registration is cancelled, insurance coverage cannot be obtained. In such cases, the Corporation itself must provide compensation in the event of an accident. Although the government once attempted to put 15-year-old official vehicles back on the road, the lack of insurance coverage forced them to abandon the plan. If government vehicles are uninsured, compensation must be paid by the department head. Since there was no clear provision for this, older vehicles were eventually abandoned.