The Hindu 26.09.2009
Introduction of low-floor buses hit
S.Anil Radhakrishnan
| Differences over constituting Special Purpose Vehicle |
Project estimated to cost Rs.110 crore
15 buses ready for delivery
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The introduction of low-floor buses in the capital city under the Urban Transport Project of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) has been delayed due to indecision on the part of the government in constituting a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) and the alleged rift over managing the fleet.
Under the Rs.110.2-crore project, the City Corporation was to procure 150 low-floor buses, including 30 air-conditioned ones to operate services in the city and its suburbs.
List of routes
The Corporation Council had even approved the draft list of routes prepared by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC).
The first 15 of the air-conditioned low-floor buses to be introduced in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram are ready for delivery and are idling in Bangalore, official sources said. The government had even announced that they would start plying the roads by September.
Hurdles galore
But the issues over setting up of the SPV, ownership of the buses, crew and supply of diesel, besides parking bays and bus stops where passengers can board and alight with ease have become hurdles. Exemption to luxury buses for changes in seating pattern, doors, windows, exit door and height is also delaying the commencement of services.
As per the government directive, an SPV has to be formed with representatives of the KSRTC, municipal corporations in the two cities and the departments of Local-Self Government, Transport and Finance for managing and operating the fleet of buses.
Official sources said the KSRTC has opposed the setting up of an SPV and is mooting a subsidiary under the State road transport undertaking to manage the services of the low-floor luxury buses. Discussions in this regard are being held at the government level.
KSRTC’s fears
The KSRTC management fears that the new fleet of luxury buses would bring down its daily revenue in the two cities. “The KSRTC gets the highest collection from the capital and the new fleet will definitely cause a dent in the road transport corporation’s daily collection,” a top KSRTC official said.
The change from the conventional doors on the front and back to the front and centre, different height for platforms, absence of guard rails and grab rails, closed windows, varying height for the interior of the buses, changes in the dimensions of the exit door and change in the seating pattern have to be addressed before registering buses.
A top Motor Vehicle Department official said there was no need for making amendments to the Kerala Motor Vehicles Rules as suggested by some quarters to incorporate the changes.
“The government has the powers to give exemption and bus owners should apply to the government after remitting the requisite fees,” he said.
