The New Indian Express 09.11.2010
Low-floor buses may ply to suburban towns soon
Presently, the low-floor buses pressed into service as part of the JNNURM project can only ply within the limits of TRIDA (Trivandrum Development Authority) in the capital and of GCDA (Greater Cochin Development Authority) in Kochi. According to top officials of the KSRTC, which is now operating the services on a temporary basis, plying of low-floor buses within the city will not serve the purpose of the project. Besides, officials feel that the extension of services to rural areas will help them minimise the loss caused by these services.
‘’The main aim behind the introduction of low-floor services is to promote the public transportation in the city, thereby reducing the influx of private vehicles into the city areas. To achieve this goal, the services of low-floor buses have to be extended to suburban towns like Nedumangad, Neyyattinkara, Attingal and the like in Thiruvananthapuram. In Kochi, services should be extended to Muvattupuzha, Kolencherry and Piravom. If we can operate regular services from these points, the influx of private vehicles to the city will decrease considerably,’’ a top KSRTC official said.
Though profit-making is not a major objective of the project, officials expressed concern over the loss caused by these services. ‘’For the service to be operated without any loss, there should be an income of Rs 50 per kilometre for A/C buses and Rs 38 per kilometre for non A/C buses. But, presently, the average revenue per kilometre for A/C buses ranges from Rs 33 to Rs 38, whereas the collection per kilometre is below Rs 30 for non-A/C services. There is not much variation in the net income from both districts,’’ the official said.
The official added that the present services operated in both cities will not be withdrawn. At present, 16 low-floor buses are operating in Thiruvananthapuram and 41 in Kochi. Besides, as many as 40 low-floor buses, including A/C and non-A/C, have been kept ready for service at the KSRTC Central Works, Kaimanam here. Under the JNNURM project, 150 low- floor buses (30 A/C and 120 non-A/C) have been sanctioned for Thiruvananthapuram, whereas 170 buses, including 50 A/C buses, have been allotted to Kochi.
