Karnataka RTC allows more services from Bengaluru to Kerala on intervention of K C Venugopal

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Karnataka government accepted the demand of K C Venugopal MP for more bus services to Kerala for the convenience of passengers considering Onam rush. Venugopal had held talks on this with Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy. Following this, the Karnataka RTC issued an order sanctioning more special bus services to Kerala. The Karnataka RTC also announced that there will be special services from Bengaluru to various districts of Kerala from September 2 to 4 and back to Bengaluru on September 7.

Many including Malayalees are facing hardships as tickets are not available in trains and other modes of transport. The Karnataka RTC will operate special bus services to Alappuzha. The buses will depart from Mysuru Road Bus Stand and Shanti Nagar BMTC Bus Stand in Bengaluru. All premium services will be operated from Shanti Nagar. Karnataka RTC has also clarified that there will be services to cities like Kannur, Kozhikode, Ernakulam, Palakkad, Thrissur, Kottayam, Thiruvananthapuram and other major towns.

Private buses are charging high fares taking advantage of the rush. Even after paying high fares, there is a situation where tickets are not available. The Karnataka RTC action is helpful for passengers to escape the ticket theft of private buses. These special bus services will be more comforting for those coming to Alappuzha from Karnataka to celebrate Onam. Those who need tickets for Ernakulam, Cherthala and Alappuzha can book tickets online.

The bus will depart from Bangalore's Shanti Nagar bus stand at 8.15 pm on September 4 and will reach Alappuzha at 7.50 am the next day. Tickets should be booked through the site m.kstrtc.in.

To encourage advance booking, Karnataka Transport Minister informed K C Venugopal that KSRTC will provide a 5% discount if four people book tickets together and a 10% discount if they book tickets together to the state and back to Bangalore. The service will be operated by Karnataka RTC's Airavat Club Class AC and semi-sleeper buses. Venugopal intervened after Malayalees brought to his attention the travel difficulties during Onam time from Bengaluru to Alappuzha and other districts. Karnataka RTC will operate about 90 special bus services to Kerala on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.