KSRTC preying on passengers through Premium Super Fast; minimum charge Rs.60

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KSRTC is planning to replace super fast buses with premium superfast buses to loot the pockets of commuters. This is on top of increasing revenue by converting ordinary buses into fast passenger buses.

Superfast buses will be phased out and replaced by AC premium superfasts. It is indicated that the premium buses will start operating from September.

A bus provided by a private company has started a trial run from Thiruvananthapuram to Ernakulam. The minimum fare for Super Fast is Rs 22. Minimum fare on premium bus is Rs 60. An increase of Rs 38. When there is no other bus, ordinary people will be forced to board this bus.

The fares for regular public transport are fixed by a commission appointed by the government. Now there is no commission or evidence collection.

Superfast super idea

Superfast buses were launched in 1993 when K Balakrishna Pillai was the Transport Minister to increase revenue. Until then there were express services after fast passenger. The mission of Super Fast services was to make it possible to travel longer distances with fewer stops than Fast services. Superfast was successful because it reaches the destination faster. Then as the number of depots and the number of stops for the superfast increased, the travel speed decreased. Post-Covid, the travel limit of Fast Passenger has been reduced to two districts. It was a ploy to get more passengers onto the Superfast.