In a bid to provide speedier travel to major towns and cities, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) launched the bypass night rider ‘Minnal’ services.
The services, with limited stops, have fares on a par with the super class services of the transport utility.
The longest route of Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod will be covered in 11 hours and 30 minutes.
MINNAL : Proud and Hit Service of KSRTC
In the past, passengers had made several complaints regarding the service and demanded the service have more stops. However, the officer said private bus operators who lost patronage due to the KSRTC service were behind the ‘complaints’.
Minnal is popular because we are able to reach destinations in a short time. Passengers who make unreasonable demands for unscheduled stops forget about the convenience of the rest of the passengers.
While the Transport Department had issued a notification in November, 2014, demanding KSRTC buses allow women passengers to alight at any point they demand between 6.30 pm and 6 am, a June, 2017, order by the KSRTC chairman and managing director had exempted ‘Minnal’ from it.
The passengers have already received theses buses wholeheartedly.They had an earlier version of this named lightning express in early 2000’s.
By comparing the timings of both bus and train, we can conclude that bus is far better in case of timings.But in reality these buses reaches the destination 10 to 20 minutes before the stipulated time. Not only this, these buses are fitted with latest model of Haritha seats with push back option, which offers more comfort.
KSRTC buses are known for offering more leg space(the space between your seat and the seat ahead of yours) than other RTC or private buses.
Light luggage can be kept underneath the seats and baggage can be kept on the luggage rack on top .All seats are provided with mobile phone or laptop charging sockets.which are necessary for long distance journeys.
Source – The Hindu, slowdowninkerala, Indian Express.
