THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The ‘Chill’ bus services introduced by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has turned out to be a bitter pill for Kerala Tourism, with KSRTC halting operations of low-floor AC bus services in tour circuits.
The domestic and international tourists depending on the hop-in low floor AC bus-es from major tourist spots including Varkala, Kovalam have been halted indefinitely following the introduction of Chill bus service which connects Thiruvana-nthapuram – Alappuzha – Ernakulam – Kozhikode.
Hundreds of international and domestic tourists depending on AC low floor buses for commuting to tourist spots are at the receiving end. A top official of the Tourism Department said that this move will adversely affect tourism activities.
“According to KSRTC official tourists depend on taxis and other private vehicles for commuting to tourist spots,” said the official.
The official said that according to KSRTC the bus services are running at loss. Around 40 low floor AC buses which were doing service in Thiruvananthap-uram district is being used for Chill service, sources said.
Varkala MLA V. Joy said that the services have been stopped. “We have taken it up with the authorities. Buses are unavailable and many tourists depend on these services. We hope they will resume the services once the buses are available,” said Mr Joy.
Varkala Municipal Chairp-erson Bindu Haridas said that tourism season is around the corner and halting of services would have an adverse impact on the season. “This year the season will kick off late and we hope the shuttle services would be restored,” said Bindu Haridas.
According to an official of KSRTC, an order came from the top management directing to halt the service and use the buses for Chill bus service, which started services from August 1.
