Thiruvananthapuram: In a first of its kind journey, four Scania buses from Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) have gone to Sriharikota for a special trip with scientists. The buses were not being operated due to the pandemic.

The Four Scania buses left for Sriharikota in the wee hours of Friday. The passengers were scientists who went to witness the launch of PSLV C-49 satellite on Saturday. KSRTC would also bring them back.

This is only the beginning of a new initiative by KSRTC. From now on, the state buses will be used for many such trips including wedding, picnic and pilgrimage.

The luxury buses, worth Rs 1.25 crore each, were stationed in depots for a while as they were not being operated. It was during this time that KSRTC received an offer from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and the corporation grabbed it with both hands.

The Scania buses, which were being operated on the Bengaluru route, are getting a new source of income. Several such Scania buses are catching dust at the Thampanoor central depot.