The latest data shows that the pandemic has wrecked the private bus sector as only 68 new buses have been registered in 2021. On an average the number of new buses registered in Kerala used to be in the 2,000 range. Meanwhile, it is important to note that since 2020 there has been a declining trend. 

According to motor vehicle department officials, the number of buses registered were 3,156 in 2017. The number of buses registered in 2018 and 2019 were 2,623 and 2,483 respectively, while in 2020, the number of buses registered were less than 1,000. 

During 2020, at a time when the first pandemic wave in Kerala, the number of buses registered were 909, according to the data of the central government’s Parivahan platform. In 2021, after the second wave hit, the number of buses registered is only 68.

Though the number of new buses applied for and the registrations were declining, even when the year 2021 is about to complete the number is as meagre as 68. This is a sharp and drastic decline compared to previous years. 

The decline has been attributed to Covid-19 related restrictions and staggered mobility in public transport during this period.