Even as the long distance JNNURM services of the KSRTC are becoming quite a hit in the state, requests are pouring in at all the destination depots demanding a change in the seating arrangement of the buses.
According to Ernakulam Zonal Officer Sebastian Thomas, a list of complaints have been lodged at the depot by the daily passengers, requesting a change in the seating arrangements inside the Volvo buses.
The passengers feel that the seating arrangement and the type of seats are not meant for long distance travel as they are very stiff and provide no flexibility.
John S, a daily commuter from Pala, said that even though the buses are quite comfortable, the journey becomes quite tedious half way through.
On the basis of the complaints, Sebastian Thomas has submitted a request to the main office in Thiruvananthapuram for a change of the seats.
“The complaints are genuine as the buses were initially meant for city travel only. It is only fair that the officials concerned pass the order for a change in the seats,” he said.
According to experts at Volvo, the long distance buses would become a better hit if the KSRTC decides to change the seats.
“In Chennai, when the JNNURM services were expanded to other districts, a survey was taken by the authorities. The reports showed that passengers were having difficulty with the seats. Once the seating arrangement was made comfortable, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (SPV formed for the running of the buses) started generating better profits.
For the long distance services, the highest collection has been generated along the Ernakulam-Kottayam route with a record collection of `27,000 per day.
The collection along the Ernakulam-Pala route is also catching up. Also, the Ernakulam-Kozhikode and Ernakulam-Nilambur routes are also receiving standard collections. Currently, the total average collection of the KSRTC has shot up from a daily record of `90,000 to `1.5 lakh per day.
Source: New Indian Express
