Nostalgia on wheels! KSRTC revives vintage special ‘Ammavan’ bus

Thiruvananthapuram: The legendary 'Ammavan' (uncle) bus of yesteryear has returned to the streets. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has recreated this iconic defunct model at its Pappanamcode Central Works. The vintage special was crafted by modifying the body of a contemporary KSRTC bus to mirror the aesthetic of the vehicles that once dominated the capital city’s landscape, including an interior redesigned to match the original era.

The 'Vintage Special' was officially flagged off by Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar, in the presence of CMD Dr P S Pramoj Shankar. The bus is expected to operate on the Perorkada–Kowdiar–East Fort route here. The primary objective is to allow the younger generation to experience the charm of old-school bus travel. The vintage authenticity has been meticulously preserved, featuring the signature small front grille, split-pane windscreens that slide upwards, and the classic top-mounted destination board.

The rear also features twin-glass windows. Inside, the driver’s cabin has been restored to a 1965 specification, complete with the long gear lever, vintage dashboard, and the characteristic arched engine cover. Painted in a classic green and white livery, the bus also retains the specific side graphics seen on heritage models.

A 2013-model Ashok Leyland bus served as the base for this vintage conversion, providing a seating capacity for 52 passengers. KSRTC plans to utilise the bus for its Budget Tourism projects and will also make it available for hire for wedding photoshoots.

While KSRTC once possessed a priceless collection of imported Mercedes-Benz and early Leyland vehicles, many were scrapped after their service life. As a form of restitution, there are now moves to establish a vehicle museum. Images of vintage KSRTC buses have already been collected, and the corporation is considering creating and displaying scale models of these historic vehicles.