Even though the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) had vowed to launch services along Tripunithura-Thiruvankulam route in September, the authorities are yet to stick to their words. The KSRTC authorities have not even taken the primary steps to launch services.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had directed the KSRTC to start services on nationalised routes to reduce losses. Following the court directive, the KSRTC authorities announced that it would operate more services in the Ernakulam- Muvattupuzha route via Tripunithura -Thrivankulam.
KSRTC Assistant Transport Officer C Venugopal said the authorities have applied for the permits for 20 new services. He further said that they would object to private bus operators getting their permits renewed. “It is expected that we can roll out 12 KSRTC buses to ply in the route in the first stage as soon as possible,” Venugopal said.
KSRTEA (CITU) district general secretary T P Venu alleged that the KSRTC authorities were deliberately delaying the procedures to start services to help private bus owners. “Private buses still conduct services. Once KSRTC takes over the service, private operators will have to withdraw. Since KSRTC is yet to start service, private operators can get their permits renewed citing that there are not enough services,” he said.
He said that his union had decided to intensify the protest if the KSRTC authorities not taking any action for starting the services immediately. “KSRTC services are essential to find a permanent solution for woes of passengers in the area,” Venu said.
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