Thiruvananthapuram: Neither the KSRTC nor the Minister for Transport can make a unilateral decision with regard to the electric buses procured by the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation that operates in the capital city. 

Earlier this week, Transport Minister Ganesh Kumar has expressed his intention to make significant changes to electric bus services operating in the city.

The Corporation has purchased 115 buses under the Smart City Project for KSRTC, 60 of which are already in service.The Corporation made the decision to purchase E-vehicles for KSRTC under its green initiative with the aim of reducing congestion on the narrow roads in the city. The Corporation has signed an agreement with KSRTC with regard to the purchase of the vehicles.

As per this agreement, KSRTC could only revise fares after a prior discussion with the Corporation. Earlier, Ganesh Kumar had argued that the low ticket fare could be a reason for electric buses suffering loss in Thiruvananthapuram. Presently, the electric bus services operate in Thiruvananthapuram on a pilot basis. 

Moreover, the city's circular service of electric buses runs by connecting junctions which do not have regular bus service. Mayor Arya Rajendran had also come forward vouching for projects that would transform the capital city into a carbon-neutral area.

Reforms in the city circular buses are underway as per the direction of the new Transport Minister. The first of these reforms is being carried out at the Peroorkada depot. Few city circular e-buses have been converted to point-to-point electric bus services, including the one operating services to the medical college route.

The fare in city circular buses, at any point, is Rs 10. However, in point-to-point services, the fare will vary depending on the distance and location. However, it must be noted that the fare will still be less than that of regular bus services.