The KSRTC's plan to introduce 88 buses that would link the city with the rural areas of the district is hanging fire for well over a year.“There are no plans to introduce them soon. The State government has to decide on allotting so many buses to Kochi,” said the agency's executive director (Technical) S. Salim Rajan. The buses that have to reach the interiors of the district would not be as long as those in service, since they would have a shorter wheel base. But they would be able to seat 31 people, as compared to the agency's mini buses which can seat only 19 people. Most of the mini buses stopped operation after they were found to be financially unviable.
The agency's Ernakulam zonal officer P.L. Jose said that the aim was to buy the buses using Plan funds. “We do not have a clear idea of when the buses would be made available. Currently, there is shortage of buses and we are unable to cater to the demand from the commuters”.
The new services could come in handy to connect areas beyond Aluva and Tripunithura and also places such as Eramalloor, Chellanam, Piravom etc. with the city. This is in keeping with the RTC's aim to have a presence all through the district. The Thirukochi services have been bringing in additional income, about two years since they were introduced.
Referring to steps being taken to increase the agency's income, Mr. Jose said that awareness classes are being organised for bus crew so that they collect maximum number of passengers and have a pleasant disposition. “Steps are also being taken to ensure the upkeep of buses, to prevent break downs. The awareness creation has resulted in the mileage per litre of diesel going up from 4.19 kms per litre to 4.65 kmpl.”
The RTC has plans to base its city buses at its Thevara stand, where concreting work is underway. The stand would become an independent operations' base with all amenities. This is because of acute space crunch at the Ernakulam main bus depot, where many city buses, including air-conditioned ones are parked.
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