Changing the colour of city buses is a welcome move, but will prove expensive, say bus operators.
Though unions of the bus operators are not opposed to the cosmetic change suggested by Kochi Deputy Mayor B. Bhadra in her budget speech, they were concerned about the additional expense such a decision would bring on them. They also did not see why the colour of the city buses had to be changed from the present red to blue.
The union leaders of the bus operators, who maintained that the civic authorities had not discussed the idea of changing the colour with them, said they were not opposed to the idea.
Ms. Bhadra had suggested changing the colour of the buses operating in the city in tune with the city’s official colour.
The cosmetic change was proposed to be implemented in cooperation with the unions of the bus operators and the Road Transport Authority (RTA).
Interestingly, only two local bodies in the State, Kollam and Kozhikode, had insisted on a colour scheme for the buses operating in their jurisdiction.
While Kollam opted for blue, the civic administrators of Kozhikode decided that buses painted green shall ferry passengers in their territory.
There are around 600 red buses operating in Kochi. It was during the late 60s that then civic authorities decided on the colour scheme for the city buses and the decision was implemented as an order issued by the RTA, said M.B. Satyan, president of the Ernakulam District Bus Operators Association.
The association has 420 bus operators as its members. “If at all the local body wishes to change the colour, they need to approach the RTA. Such change in colour can be introduced only at the time of obtaining the annual Certificate of Fitness (CF),” said Mr. Satyan.
K.P. Valsalan, district president of the Kerala Bus Transport Association, said it would be impractical to change the colour of the buses at one go. The vehicles could be given a new coat of paint if ordered by the RTA during the renewal of CF. Even then, it would be expensive as it would require about Rs. 40,000 for a vehicle, he said.
