The loss-making Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is allegedly fleecing Sabarimala devotees on the low-floor non-AC buses in Pampa-Nilackal chain services.
“At least 74 low-floor buses are operating on the 22-km stretch as Fast Passenger services. On its official website, the authorities clearly mention that Fast Passenger Limited Stop FP services charge only 68 paise per km. So the fare should have been Rs 15 but they are charging Rs 29,” Chittoor resident Mohan Mangattusseril said.
A senior KSRTC officer said the buses had to ride back almost empty and hence the higher fare. “We also have an earlier court order permitting us to charge higher rates for special services,” he said.
However, experts say the buses carry more than the allowed capacity on the trip to Nilackal. “For most of the time, nearly 80 passengers travel against its capacity of 49. Instead of charging higher rates, the KSRTC should co-ordinate with the Travancore Devaswom Board authorities and implement the Tirupati model.
The heavy vehicles should be permitted only up to Nilackal, and the devotees could use KSRTC buses to travel up Pampa. This way, the KSRTC buses will be full in both directions,” said Sujith Bhaktan, a KSRTC enthusiast and the brain behind the popular https://www.aanavandi.com/blog.
