52 years on, ‘Kannur Deluxe’ is still on the running
‘Kannur Deluxe’ is not only a yesteryear blockbuster but is also a bus service, infact, the long standing one in the transport history of the state. The bus service that connects Thiruvanathapuram and Kannur completes its 52 year of running this year.
It was in year 1967 the then transport minister Imbichi Bava flagged off the bus service. Since then the bus service has become a subject of pride on the roads and an umbilical cord that connected the emigrants of Malabar to Travancore.
“It’s is the only deluxe service started decades back and still in operation. In those days, the service was much popular and the passengers had to book the tickets much in advance to get seats. Often the travellers turned out to be VIPs like MLAs and high government officials,” Mr Antony who retired as assistant transport officer recalled.
Apart from the facilities, the hallmark of the service was punctuality.
“The commuters were sure of the bus sticking to its schedule. The timing in Ernakulam was 10.28 p.m. Unlike today, there was a crew change in Thrissur. The management had then taken special care to give sufficient rest to the crew,” he said.
The bus had 32 seats with each station having a reservation quota of two seats.
”The service topped the collections in the corporation for a long time,” he said.
The current management points out that the service has not lost its sheen and is still among the top revenue earning ones.
The bus hasn’t stopped service and never felled back in its timing in its long years of running. Still, the bus is the star among the KSRTC buses in the state.
Reservation facility is available for this service from Kannur and Thiruvananthapuram. Online reservation facility is also available for this service.
Time Schedule
Towards Thiruvananthapuram
| Place | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|
| Kannur | 17.30 | 17.30 |
| Thalassery | 18.00 | 18.00 |
| Vadakara | 18.30 | 18.30 |
| Kozhikkode | 19.35 | 19.45 |
| Thiruvananthapuram | 05.30 | — |
Towards Kannur
| Place | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|
| Thiruvananthapuram | 18.30 | 18.30 |
| Kazhakuttam | 19.00 | 19.00 |
| Attingal | 19.20 | 19.20 |
| Kollam | 20.05 | 20.05 |
| Ernakulam | 23.00 | 23.15 |
| Thrissur | 00.50 | 00.55 |
| Kozhikkode | 03.30 | 03.45 |
| Kannur | 05.45 | — |
For more information: Contact – KSRTC Kannur: 0497 2707777. KSRTC Thiruvananthapuram: 0471- 2323979/ 2323886.
Source – deccanchronicle.