KSRTC making heady profits with KBG model

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: “Don't expect the department to see profit immediately. I aim to transform KSRTC into a self-sustaining system” said Minister KB Ganesh Kumar when he was sworn in as the new transport minister. A look at the latest figures shows that the minister is moving closer to the stated target.

More KSRTC depots have recorded profit after efficient steps were introduced to reduce revenue leakage and losses. The latest figures say that 73 depots in Kerala have recorded profit in revenue. Before July 2024, only 52 depots managed to make a profit.

In zone-wise figures, South Zone has brought more money to the coffers. As of July 1, the profit in the zone is Rs 3.59 crores. During the same period, the central zone made a profit of Rs 1.98 crore and the north zone made a profit of Rs 1.62 crore. KSRTC in a new reform had cut short services to areas with no passenger traffic and also repaired buses to resume more services rather than opting for new buses. It is estimated that the reforms helped reduce the cost of diesel and spare parts by a large margin.

Services have been streamlined on high-traffic routes. The Corporation is now focusing more on finding and serving new profitable routes. KSRTC is looking to repair damaged buses to run on high-traffic routes. Another method is to assign excess staff to new routes at multiple depots.