The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) invested Rs 40 crore to build a spacious bus station in Peenya hoping that the strategic location would turn it into a major transport hub in the future.
But things didn’t pan out as planned and within three months of operating thousands of buses from the station, the corporation incurred a loss of Rs 12 crore and had to withdraw the services and shift the operation to Majestic to stem further losses.
However, KSRTC’s experience has not deterred the other KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) from operating long-distance buses from the station.
The corporation of the neighbouring state has also opened an outlet at the station for booking bus tickets.
An official the Karnataka transport corporation said, “Kerala Corporation has got many advantages here. A good number of Keralites work in various industries in the area and they have their own residential localities. The neighboring corporation feels there is good demand for their service in the area. A number of private operators from Kerala too are operating from the Peenya area to various destinations.”
The official said as per the agreement reached by the both the corporations, the Kerala corporation is operating four buses to destinations like Kottayam, Ernakulam, Calicut and Kannanur. The buses include two air-conditioned and two non A/C buses.
At present, the KSRTC is operating 26 buses from the bus station to northern parts of the state and comes to Peenya from Majestic to pick up the passengers.
The official said they have big plans to make the stand commercially viable.
The corporation is renting out commercial establishment in the station and eyeing on generating close to Rs 3.5 croreon rent.
In addition to this, transport department is also in talks with the KSRTC to get some space on rent in the station to park seized vehicles. However, both the organizations are yet to reach on an agreement on the issue.
The corporation is also contemplating to build multiplexes and other amenities to generate income in the longer run.
“Peenya station has come up in an area which is very close to one of the biggest industrial hubs in the world and is also close to metro stations and National Highway. In coming days it will be hub of activities and buses would operate to various destinations. The management would take a call on how to develop the station in the coming days,” the official said.
Up & Running
The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation has started operating long-distance buses from the stand. The corporation of the neighbouring state has also opened an outlet at the station for booking bus tickets.
The official said as per the agreement reached by the both the corporations, the Kerala corporation is operating four buses to destinations like Kottayam, Ernakulam, Calicut and Kannanur. The buses include two air-conditioned and two non A/C buses.
Peenya plans
After the bus services flopped at Peenya stand, KSRTC has big plans to make the stand commercially viable.
The Corporation is renting out commercial establishment in the station and eyeing on generating close to Rs 3.5 crore on rent.
Transport department is also in talks with the KSRTC to get some space on rent in the station to park seized vehicles.
The corporation is also contemplating to build multiplexes and other amenities to generate income in the longer run.
News: Bangalore Mirror