143 new buses to hit Kerala roads before Onam; KSRTC secures massive deal

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KSRTC sealed a massive deal by bringing 143 new buses to its garage. In the first phase, 80 buses will arrive before the first week of July. Another 63 buses will be delivered within the next three months.

The buses are from Tata, Ashok Leyland and Eicher companies. The proto inspection has been completed. Rs 22.9 crore has been paid in advance. The government had sidelined Rs 107 crore in the budget for the purchase of new buses. Of this, Rs 62 crore has been sanctioned by the Finance Department.

Tata's buses will be the first to arrive. Out of the 80 buses, 60 are super-fast and 20 are fast passenger. Ashok Leyland has been given the order for premium buses. These are eight AC sleepers, 10 AC sleeper cum seaters and eight AC semi-sleepers. 37 small buses, including 9-meter-long buses, will be purchased for ordinary services. KSRTC hopes to put all buses into service before Onam.

Initially after assuming office as a minister, Ganesh Kumar had manoeuvred moves to bring 555 new buses to KSRTC but the project fell apart. Out of 143 buses, 106 are for KSRTC Swift. This is part of the complete conversion of super-class buses to Swift. The decision is to give a new design to all the new buses.