Kerala: Plans to start mini buses fail

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The plans to re-induct mini-buses in KSRTC have gone into cold storage with the exit of M.G. Rajamanikyam as its managing director. This has put the possibilities of adding new circular and ‘miscellaneous’ services in the district in jeopardy, say officials. Discussion was on to procure around 600 mini buses for KSRTC under KIFB. This would have ensured services through routes which are now less frequently attended by KSRTC buses.

“Service could not be provided to people who use inroads city as the bigger buses would not fit easily here. Areas like Attukal, MLA road etc are examples. In rural areas there are routes dominated by smaller parallel services where KSRTC’s bigger buses cannot run profitable. We had started negotiations with bus companies for mini-buses, but the programme has been put into cold storage now,” an official said. KSRTC used to operate mini bus services a decade ago. However, they were stopped as the buses were deemed less durable.

“People were made to believe that mini- buses were less durable. In reality, the parallel service lobby ensured that KSRTC’s mini-buses were maintained in poor condition as their business was getting hit. Mini buses were scrapped before the spares to extend their life span actually arrived,” said an activist. In city, the routes through National Highway could be explored profitably with mini-buses, say officials. “At present, East Fort- Manacaud-Ambalathara-Thiruvallam city buses run through congested Kovalam-East Fort road. Buses can cater to the very same route via bypass. We need mini-buses for such services as initially the number of users will be lesser,” the official added.