KSRTC yet to resume full-fledged services in Kochi

The air-conditioned low-floor buses of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) are yet to resume operations in Kochi, despite around 70% of private buses getting back to the road following

The air-conditioned low-floor buses of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) are yet to resume operations in Kochi, despite around 70% of private buses getting back to the road following improved patronage for public transport during the Onam festive season. This many private buses have resumed services on the hope that the government will waive road tax (which comes to approximately ₹1.20 lakh per bus annually) for the third quarter as well. Still, patronage is sound only during peak hours, said K.B. Suneer, general secretary, Ernakulam District Private Bus Operators Association. Almost the entire 190-strong fleet of AC low-floor buses, barring a dozen which operate in the Thiruvananthapuram-Kozhikode sector, remain grounded, including at the KURTC depot at Thevara here. Several non-AC low-floor buses were taken to Thiruvananthapuram where they were rebranded for operations in the State capital, KSRTC sources said.