1 day ago
Kerala Government Seeks to Modernise State Transport Corporation
Kerala's government says it wants to improve its state bus service, KSRTC.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan said the service should be modern and professionally managed.
He launched seven new bus services.
He also opened construction of a new place for passengers to wait for buses in North Paravur.
Satheesan said women can travel free under a scheme called Priyadarshini.
He said KSRTC buses were collecting more money, despite some people predicting the service would close because of the scheme.
The government is also planning new travel packages.
One package to Lakshadweep had its first group fully booked.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan said the government aims to modernise KSRTC, upgrade its facilities and make it professionally managed.
He spoke after flagging off seven new services and inaugurating construction of a bus waiting centre in North Paravur.
Satheesan said the Priyadarshini scheme, which provides women free travel, began at the UDF government's first Cabinet meeting.
He said KSRTC buses were recording higher collections and that new interstate packages were in the pipeline.
A Lakshadweep tourism package was prepared; its November 4 first batch was fully booked, and another batch was due to begin January 3.
- Who
- Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan and the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC).
- What
- Satheesan announced plans to modernise KSRTC and launched seven services while inaugurating construction of a bus waiting centre.
- Where
- North Paravur, Kerala.
- When
- Sunday, October 4; the article does not specify the year.
- Why
- The government says it is committed to improving KSRTC and public transport facilities.
Concern
Government response
Effect of free travel scheme on KSRTC
Concern
Some people had predicted that KSRTC would shut down after the Priyadarshini scheme was introduced.
Government response
Satheesan said KSRTC had faced no such difficulties and that its buses were recording higher collections.
Key facts
- Transport operator
- Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC)
- New services
- Seven services were flagged off.
- Passenger facility
- Construction of a new bus waiting centre was inaugurated in North Paravur.
- Priyadarshini scheme
- Provides free travel for women; Satheesan said it was introduced at the first Cabinet meeting after the UDF came to power.
- Lakshadweep package
- The first batch, scheduled for November 4, was fully booked; the next batch was to begin January 3.
- Bus contributions
- Three people had each contributed Rs 40 lakh to purchase buses.
- MLA support
- Thirty-three MLAs had consented to provide buses using their MLA funds.
Quotes
V D Satheesan
Chief Minister of Keralam
“A Lakshadweep tourism package has also been prepared, under which passengers would travel by flight via the airport to Lakshadweep, with accommodation and food arranged before their return. The first batch, scheduled for November 4, was fully booked, while the next batch would begin on January 3”
theprint.in
“Some had predicted that the KSRTC would shut down after the scheme was introduced, but the institution has faced no such difficulties, and its buses are now operating with higher collections”
theprint.in
Sources
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