Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will launch its cargo service on October 7 as part of efforts to expand its logistics operations and increase revenue from sources other than ticket sales.

Transport Minister C.P. John will flag off the service at 12.30 pm on Wednesday at the Domestic Airport Cargo Terminal in Thiruvananthapuram, according to an official statement.

Officials said KSRTC decided to enter the cargo sector after studying the models adopted successfully by various state road transport corporations across the country to increase non-ticket revenue.
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Who will attend the launch?

Ward councillor Sheeba Patrick will preside over the function.

Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, Transport Department Secretary T.V. Anupama, KSRTC CMD Pramoj Shankar, along with officials, employees and prominent figures from the political and social sectors, are expected to attend the event.

Private bus operators plan protest

Meanwhile, the Kerala State Private Bus Operators Federation has announced a protest against issues affecting private bus operators and employees.

The federation will hold a Secretariat march on October 14, demanding protection for bus owners and workers who are affected by free travel for women and transgender passengers under the Priyadarshini scheme.

The federation has also demanded a revision of bus fares, including student concession rates, in line with operating costs.
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It said that if the government does not take a favourable decision, its office-bearers will stage an indefinite hunger strike in front of the Secretariat in the last week of October. If no action is taken even after that, the bus owners’ organisation has said it will completely suspend services across the state and launch an indefinite strike from the first week of November.