KOCHI: The arraying of private buses under Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) companies has begun yielding rich dividends in the form of operational savings, prevention of revenue loss, and lessening of reckless driving on many routes.
Four LLPs have already been formed, while a few more are being awaited as Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has exhorted bus operators to constitute them. This is to ensure a win-win situation for the metro agency and bus operators.
“The introduction of common tickets among all buses under an LLP company has resulted in daily savings of up to ₹2,000. This is mainly because the revenue loss due to conductors issuing counterfeit tickets or non-issuance of tickets to ‘friendly’ passengers has come to a stop. LLP companies are also expected to procure spare parts, tyres etc., in bulk, which will result in savings. Buses under various LLP companies have also begun sporting the names above the windscreen,” metro sources said.
Private bus operators attributed the rise in income to Kudumbasree workers who they deputed as ticket checkers. “We have roped in six Kudumbasree workers, from among the 90 who were trained to become bus conductors, for the job. They conduct surprise checks in buses to detect ticket evasion, forged tickets, and fake student passes. This has ushered in transparency and accountability,” said Navas K.M., designated partner of Kochi Wheels United LLP, which has around 150 buses operating along the metro corridor and in areas like Eloor and Eroor.
“We decided to rope in women ticket checkers since they behave courteously with passengers. Most bus services have begun earning over ₹1,000 a day on account of this. The sum can go up to ₹2,000 when more women checkers are enrolled,” he added.
Elaborating on more savings since LLPs were constituted, Mr. Navas said talks were held with an oil company on procuring diesel in bulk for bus fleet. “This will ensure savings of up to ₹125 per day per bus. Discussions are also on with public sector insurance firms to avail less premium. LLPs will also take up issues involving the police and the Motor Vehicles Department. The formation of LLPs has thus brought to the fore the potential for combined bargaining power of bus operators,” he observed.
Above all, over-speeding and unscrupulous practices to increase the daily income of individual bus operators have stopped on many routes since the ticketing revenue goes into the common account of each LLP and is divided among members, Mr. Navas said.
He thanked KMRL for guiding bus operators associations on the advantages of LLPs and taking them on visits to places like Kozhikode and Kottayam, where such companies are in vogue.
