nsport corporation had agreed to provide 100 more buses and enhance operations through the Vytilla Mobility Hub (VMH). But nothing much has been done.
Transport minister V S Shivakumar announced in November 2011 that allocations for these buses had been made in the 2011-2012 budget. The minister had said the buses would reach the city within six months. Hence, the buses should be here by at least April end. The decision to provide extra buses was taken at a meeting convened by chief minister Oommen Chandy in Thirvananthapuram.
“We haven’t received any buses in this slot. We expect the new buses to be brought to the city this year,” KSRTC zonal officer P L Jose said.
The transport corporation has also hinted that it was facing acute staff shortage, and that this had made it difficult to operate new services. According to senior officials, KSRTC had approached the employment exchange for recruiting 500 drivers and 325 conductors on daily wages in the district. The Ernakulam depot has a shortage of about 70 employees.
“There is an immediate need to recruit more staff to facilitate the operation of new buses,” said the official. To operate its regular services on time most of the KSRTC staff now have to do double duty. Permanent staff can be appointed only through the Kerala Public Service Commission. PSC is expected to complete the procedures in a couple of months.
Source: Times Of India
