Travellers pose for photo amidst budget tourism trip of KSRTC in Munnar | Photo: Mathrubhumi/Sidheequl Akbar
In order to recover from the losses it has been incurring throughout the years, KSRTC is now diversifying its income sources to innovative methods other than ticket collection. KSRTC, which is currently incurring more expenses than the revenue it generates, also has a huge outstanding loan and therefore, is in desperate need for financial stability. This diversification appears to be fruitful, as KSRTC has earned around 128 crores through these projects last year.
Budget tourism
Instead of opting for tourist buses at exorbitant prices, KSRTC now offers its passengers the opportunity to travel through picturesque valleys and forests in its buses at a very reasonable rate. The amount needs to be remitted only when KSRTC announces its trip on a particular route. After relaxation of COVID norms, budget tourism now has a considerable demand and has become a decent source of revenue for KSRTC.
Shop-on-wheels
Simply put, this involves converting KSRTC buses into retail spaces, by utilising its buses that can no longer be used for transportation services. In the initial stage, the spaces were opened up to public enterprises such as Milma, Kudumbashree and Horticorp. Bus spaces were later on provided to the general public as well, and right now KSRTC has a host of shops including restaurant-on-wheels as well as bookshops.
Sleep-in-buses
Considering the expensive rates for accommodation in tourist locations such as Munnar, KSRTC has begun offering passengers cheap and safe accommodation within its buses, as part of its tour package. Although this hasn’t gained much popularity, KSRTC intends to continue this experiment.
Yatra Fuels and Fuel shops
KSRTC has now opened up its fuel pumps to the public, which it had previously kept only for its private usage. KSRTC also has started lube shops which sell lubricating oils at nominal rates. While the fuel pumps have become popular, the lube shops don’t do as well although they still run on a marginal profit.
Samudra
Samudra is KSRTC’s new service for women fish vendors, who otherwise need to pay additional charges for transporting their fish baskets. Three buses have been made available for this, and are being sponsored by the fisheries department. These buses have been modified to include racks for fish baskets and other facilities.
Besides these, advertisement services in buses and bus stations, mobile towers, rent from land and shopping complexes owned by KSRTC, etc are some other sources of revenue for KSRTC. By expanding its networks, KSRTC was able to generate a revenue of 128.22 crores last year.
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