KSRTC turns to single duty pattern

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has decided to enforce eight hour duty pattern for its staff on long distance buses during night including interstate services. At present, drivers and conductors on long distance services take double duties as their working time in a single schedule comes to 13 to 18 hours. KSRTC managing director Tomin J. Thachankary issued an order to this effect on Wednesday.

The management as part of introducing the new system would designate some centres as changing centres with restrooms and canteens to facilitate change of duty for the staff.

The running time of trips would be revised following complaints of late running of long-distance schedules. The High Court had recently directed the KSRTC management to change the duty pattern as per provisions of Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961, and Kerala Motor Vehicle Workers Rules, 1962. The Act had provisions only for single duty in which the staff works for eight hours in a single shift.

Sushil Khanna from IIM Kolkata who submitted a report on the structuring of the corporation had recommended the rescheduling of work pattern for conductors and drivers who were enjoying the benefits of double duty which ensured sufficient resting time for them. Earlier, a full day duty of 16 hours ensured them one day off.

One of the reasons for issuing the order on strictly ensuring single duty was the accident at Ithikkara Bridge in Kollam the other day, which killed three persons including the driver and conductor. It was found that the driver who was on double duty had slept off while driving.

AITUC-affiliated Kerala State Transport Employees' Union general secretary M G Rahul said that all the unions of the KSRTC had agreed for introducing single duty for night services. However, the management had been postponing it by blaming the unions for the same. “The only demand we made was that there should be proper resting facility for staff changing duty,” said Mr Rahul