Private bus with KSRTC board in Thampanoor bus stand; Traffic police into action

PATHANAPURAM: A private bus with KSRTC poster screeching through the city took many by surprise. The traffic police stopped the bus; the security personnel at the depot entered inside and conducted a search, and more scrutinizing eyes fell upon the bus. However, when the staff of the bus revealed the reason for the mixed-up poster, the passengers and the police officials look each other and had a good laugh.

Automaker Eicher had given its vehicle to KSRTC for test driving. This bus confused passengers and police alike. Previously, the bus was servicing in Kozhikode but the company decided to give it to KSRTC. The testing of the bus will last for a month. If turned into a success, KSRTC will enter into a contract with Eicher for similar buses to service in the hilly terrains of the district.

The vehicle's mileage and the passenger’s response will be taken as part of the test. The driver who steered the bus from Pappanamcode to Pathanapuram had a worthy experience which he would like to share:

“We took the vehicle from Pappanamcode depot. A board of ‘Pathanapuram’ was placed on the front and we reached Thampanoor depot first. The traffic police were befuddled seeing a private bus enter the depot. We had to explain in detail how to the officers. Later the passengers were reluctant to board the bus for the odd poster and the repeated police intrusion. We had a good time convincing them it was indeed a KSRTC bus.”