'Private bus and KSRTC'; CM corrects Minister Ganesh Kumar in assembly

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan publicly corrected Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar in the assembly over bus route issue. The chief minister corrected Ganesh’ statement that he had directed KSRTC not to compete with private buses and that private bus services are a business and they should not be troubled.

'KSRTC buses had a tendency to run in front of private buses. This is the secret of running at a loss. Private buses have new vehicles. They are ready to compete. However, if our drivers compete, they will cause accidents. I had taken a decision when sworn in as the minister to stop running in front of private buses as it was their business. They are paying taxes. Let them operate servicers. The decision not to go into unnecessary competition is the reason for the increase in collection. We are getting good collection from local buses,' these were the words of Minister K B Ganesh Kumar.

The chief minister's response was that the minister's words hinted that the policy was not to allow KSRTC buses to ply in areas where private buses operate. If that happens, it will cause great difficulties. It is right to say that there should be no unhealthy competition. It is better to avoid it. However, today, KSRTC buses are also plying on routes where many private buses ply. The chief minister clarified that the government cannot accept the policy of withdrawing KSRTC buses from all those places.

However, K B Ganesh Kumar replied to the chief minister that there is no unhealthy competition with private buses and will not move from places where there are private buses. KSRTC is also plying in areas where private buses ply. He said that when buses were run in areas where there were very few buses, got more collection. Losses were incurred earlier because they could not compete. Did not say that would move from all places. Transport Minister also clarified that KSRTC is moving forward by breaking the monopoly of private buses.