In a move towards enhancing the efficiency of its services, KSRTC has installed GPS-based intelligent tracking and information system in buses which will help the authorities concerned to regularly monitor the services.
In the first phase of the project, the system, developed by Keltron, has been installed in 250 buses plying from the city depot, East Fort and central bus terminal at Thampanoor. Though the formal inauguration of the system was scheduled for Wednesday, it was cancelled owing to the inconvenience of transport minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan.
The system, functioning with the help of the Global Positioning System (GPS), is being operated round the clock by Keltron staff from its Karakulam centre. “Through proper monitoring, KSRTC can reduce the amount spent for diesel and increase its revenue. Bunching of KSRTC buses and issues caused due to traffic congestion in city can also be resolved,” said Vijeesh V, assistant manager of Keltron.
KSRTC is also providing additional facilities like computerized inquiry counters at the depot, through which passengers can reserve tickets and check status of the buses under Kerala Urban Road Transport Corporation (KURTC).
Passengers can also check the details of the buses in which they have reserved seats through a mobile application and website which has also been developed by Keltron. Those who have reserved seats will receive information on their phone regarding the arrival time of the bus.
The other facilities that will be included as inputs in the first phase will be a ‘passenger information system’, that shows the arrival time of buses that will reach the depot in the next half an hour and linking of the electronic ticket machine and GPS to reduce the workload of staff, which will also help in spot booking.
In the next phase, the GPS devices will be expanded to 6,000 buses in the state.
News: Times of India