The Hindu : Kerala News : KSRTC to augment fleet strength

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Friday, May 06, 2005

Kerala

Kerala

KSRTC to augment fleet strength

Staff Reporter

Ten new air-conditioned buses to enter service in a month's time

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is planning to introduce 10 air-conditioned buses as part of a programme to improve the quality of passenger services, the Transport Minister, N. Sakthan, announced here on Wednesday.

Presiding over a function got up to flag off `Ananthapuri,' a branded city service, he said the air-conditioned buses would be launched in a month's time. Mr. Sakthan said the air-conditioned buses would operate within the state as well as to places like Velankanni and Bangalore.

The KSRTC will also introduce 100 Ordinary Limited Stop buses to cover the suburban areas, he announced, adding that these vehicles would be painted in distinct colours. The Minister said moves were on to launch more mini buses to service areas with narrow roads.

Mr. Sakthan said the daily collection of the KSRTC had gone up from Rs.182 lakhs to Rs.245 lakhs over the last six months. During this period, the Corporation also achieved a record collection of Rs.267 lakhs. The Minister said the UDF Government had hiked the budgetary allocation of the RTC by Rs.20 crores this year as a reward for its improved performance.

The Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, inaugurated the Ananthapuri City Fast service by lighting the ceremonial lamp. He also handed over the keys and ticket rack to the crew of the first bus to be flagged off. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Chandy promised to increase financial support to the KSRTC if it maintained the performance standards.

The Mayor, J. Chandra, the MLAs N. Rajan, B. Vijayakumar, Pirappancode Murali, A. Neelalohitadasan Nadar and Mangode Radhakrishnan, the councillors Ambika Krishnan and S. Krishnan Potti and the KSRTC managing director, K.P. Somarajan, were present.

The 25 Ananthapuri buses which were flagged off on Wednesday will be attached to the city bus stand and the depots at Vikas Bhavan, Peroorkada, Pappanamcode and Vellanad. Painted in white and blue, the buses boast a host of new features including streamlined body, wider windscreen, PVC- coated aluminium panels for the interiors, more standing and seating space, large doors for easy entrance and exit and emergency outlet.

The crew have been provided with a distinct uniform consisting of navy blue pants and sky blue shirt. They have also been trained in behavioural skills to equip them for better passenger service.

The ticket rates for the new buses will be the same as for the existing city fast service. As many as 150 Ananthapuri buses will enter service in a phased manner to replace the aging fleet.

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