In Kerala, COVID-19 pandemic has put the brakes on tourist buses so much so that many operators are putting them up for sale

Owners of contract-carriage buses and vans are selling their vehicles in a desperate bid to stay afloat and tide over loan default

The next-to-nil demand for trips from tour groups and inter-State passengers has resulted in operators of many contract-carriage buses and vans putting them up for sale in a desperate bid to stay afloat and tide over loan default. So much so that online sale portals are replete with images of luxury-buses put up for sale at rates one could perhaps buy a premium or mid-segment sedan. Ajayan V., vice president of Contract Carriage Operators' Association (CCOA), said the State has a total of around 10,000 tourist buses. "A vast number of them have been put up for sale, while many old buses are being sold as scrap, for owners to mobilise funds to procure cargo autorickshaws in which they can sell produce like fruits and fish. The situation is such that many are on the verge of suicide," he said.