THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Karnataka RTC has agreed to run an additional 59 services to tackle the rising ticket prices in private buses from Karnataka to Kerala during the Christmas-New Year season. This is following an intervention by AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal MP.

Taking advantage of the rush of passengers during the festive season, private buses charge five to six times the ticket price. The additional services by the Karnataka RTC are a relief to tens of thousands of Malayalis, including students, IT professional and others who have come to work in private institutions.

Malayali organizations had brought the travel woes during the festival season to KC Venugopal's attention. After KC Venugopal spoke to Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, the order to run 59 more services to Kerala in view of the Christmas-New Year rush was issued.

Bus service will start on December 22, 23 and 24. 18 buses have been allotted to Ernakulam and 17 to Thrissur. Karnataka RTC will operate six buses each to Kozhikode and Palakkad, five to Kannur, three to Kottayam, two to Alappuzha, one each to Munnar and Pampa. Buses like multi axle Volvo and AC sleeper will be used on these routes.