Old buses ready again for KSRTC Super Class

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has given permission to continue using old buses for super-class services. The law states that buses operating superclass services above Fast Passenger can only be used for up to five years. After that, they should be used for operating ordinary services. However, the government itself is continuously violating the government law.

The Transport Department Secretary issued an order extending the service period of the buses soon after receiving a letter from KSRTC MD. It must be noted that Biju Prabhakar holds both these responsibilities. 159 buses, which turned 9 years old in November, will continue their service as super class service for one more year.

These superclass buses completed their five-year term in 2018. Following this, their service period was increased to 7 years. The buses later received an extension of two more years. The service period of buses, which have been running long-distance services for nine years, has been extended now by one more year in the name of Sabarimala season.

The government had earlier extended the service period of 1800 buses used for KSRTC Super Class service. It has now extended the service period of those buses that got expired last month.

Delay in purchasing new buses

The reason for using the old buses is due to the delay in purchasing 600 diesel buses and 179 electric buses using the Rs 359 crore received as the first phase of the KIIFB loan for KSRTC SWIFT.