THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KSRTC has withdrawn its decision to purchase minibuses in bulk. Although a tender was invited for the purchase of 220 minibuses, the new decision is to buy 20 minibuses in two phases. 10 will be purchased first. Later, 10 more will be purchased only if it is deemed necessary.

After K.B. Ganeshkumar took charge as the transport minister, the plan was to purchase 400 minibuses. It was later reduced to 305.

On June 9, a Kerala Kaumudi report had published that minibuses would not be beneficial. Ignoring expert advice and opposition, a tender was invited for the purchase of 220 minibuses. However, the Finance Department did not give the green light. Subsequently, the plan was changed.

An order for ten minibuses has been placed with Eicher Motors. Along with this, 24 AC buses will be purchased for long-distance services. Of these, ten are sleeper buses. Eight are semi-sleeper buses. The other eight buses are seater buses.

In the second phase, 60 superfast buses, 20 fast passenger buses, and 10 minibuses will be purchased. The buses are being purchased in the hope that Rs 63 crore from the plan fund will be received soon.

Sold at the price received at that time

• The purchase of minibuses started in 2001-03 when Ganesh Kumar was the transport minister. The audit department had found irregularities of Rs 47 lakh in the first year itself. First, a hundred buses were purchased, and later 350 buses were purchased.
• While regular buses operated without any problems for 15 years, the minibuses were out of service before they turned 10 years old. The annual maintenance cost was about Rs 4 crore. The cost of one was Rs 12 lakh. It was sold at auction for fifty thousand rupees.