The long-delay in attending to major mechanical problems has resulted in cancellation of several schedules of buses operated by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) in the city, thereby causing dip in revenue collection and inconvenience to public. Data gathered from the five depots in the capital district show that non-availability of buses had prompted the utility to cancel on an average per day around 200 schedules in the last two weeks. For example on December 1, the public service provider could only operate 310 of the total 522 schedules.The depots that ran minimum schedules were Vikas Bhavan and Pappanamcode. While Pappanamcode cut the schedules to 69 from 120, the Vikas Bhavan could operate only 57 of the total 120. The situation was more or less similar in the city, Peroorkada and Vellanad depots.
On December 12, it could operate only 313 schedules. A perusal of operational data gathered suggests that the utility was unable to operate more than 315 schedules, even scaling down the schedules to 305 on December 5, in the last two weeks.
According to a KSRTC official, at least 30 buses attached to the depots are in the garage for engine overhaul. “The repair of the buses incur huge expenditure and with funds crunch, we are not sure when these buses will be ready for operation. There is also the issue of shortage of spare parts. Due to long overdue maintenance, breakdowns have become a common affair,” he said.
Revenue loss
The suspension of services has resulted in a revenue loss of Rs.5 lakh to each depot. Union leaders said for long, the management had sidestepped the issue of addressing sordid condition of buses plying in the city. Often, buses that covered around one lakh kilometres on long-distance routes are diverted for city service, which warrants regular maintenance. “The city services are neglected despite the fact that it earns more revenue. While a long distance bus covering 450 km fetches around Rs.20,000, a city bus covering half the kilometre will bring the same revenue,” said another official.
News : The Hindu
