Kottayam: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has announced that landline phones at station master offices, used for public enquiries, will be discontinued starting July 1.

Instead, each station master office will be provided with an official mobile phone and SIM card.

As per the official order, the mobile numbers must be displayed at depots for the public. Passengers with queries are advised to contact the new mobile numbers, and station masters are instructed to respond to all enquiries.

The move comes in response to frequent complaints that calls to the enquiry counters often go unanswered. KSRTC staff have pointed out that station masters, responsible for scheduling and staff management, often do not have time to attend enquiry calls.

Lack of enquiry counters in several depots

Meanwhile, many depots with only one station master have already shut down their enquiry counters. These counters were previously manned by conductors, often without formal authorisation. The KSRTC chief office has now issued strict orders to end this unofficial "other duty" arrangement. As a result, enquiry counters in Kottayam, Kollam, and Punalur depots stopped operation, drawing protests from both staff and passengers. Employees argue that if the "other duty" system is removed, alternative arrangements must be made.

"Enquiry counters are essential for providing passengers with route and schedule information. They represent the public face of KSRTC. Discontinuing them is unacceptable," said Honey Balachandran, General Secretary of KSRTCEA. He added that the issue has already been raised with the CMD, and a letter will be submitted to the Transport Minister in the coming days.