KSRTC drives low-floor AC buses to weekend getaways

Kochi: In a bid to woo tourists, the KSRTC has started operating AC low-floor buses to tourist spots on weekends.

“We’ve started operating three low-floor buses to Wonderla Amusement Park at Pallikara  every Saturday and Sunday. The first  will start from Ernakulam depot at 8.40 a.m. and proceed via Vytilla. The second will leave the depot at 9.35 a.m. and ply via Kaloor. A third will start from Fort Kochi at 9 a.m. and  reach the amusement park in an hour,” said Mr K.I. Antony,  controlling inspector, JnNURM in charge.

In the return direction, an AC low-floor bus will start from Pallikara at 6 p.m. and proceed to Ernakulam via Menaka. Another will be operated on the same route half an hour later. A third bus to Fort Kochi will start from the amusement park at 6 p.m.

“The main attraction is that the visitors will get a 10 per cent  discount while travelling by the KSRTC Volvo buses. We’ve almost reached an agreement with the park authorities in this regard. The first day (Sunday) itself saw 52 passengers boarding the Volvo bus returning to Ernakulam. We expect the services to be popular by Onam holidays,” the official said.

The move is part of the corporation’s attempt to identify profitable routes to operate the Volvo buses. More buses to destinations like Cherai and Athirapally are in the pipeline.