2800 buses destroyed by rust, people suffer due to lack of services; KSRTC struggles without money

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite the change in Covid restrictions, the lack of providing services as earlier has forced KSRTC to depend on government even for salary distribution.

When services were reduced due to Covid, most of the 2,800 buses parked at the depots were destroyed by rust. The buses were damaged due to untimely maintenance and thus services were cut off. There were not enough buses on the routes. As a result, revenue fell. Most of such cut off services were to coastal and hilly villages which ad more collection.

Kerala Kaumudi had earlier reported about the destruction of buses at depots.

6479 buses and 5300 schedules before Covid

Now there are 3400 buses. Only 64.15% of the previous one.

Daily collection is Rs 5.50 crore.

Rs 2.58 crore more can be earned if 1600 more buses can run.

The daily collection would have been 7.50 - 8 crores then.