The low-floor buses being operated by the KSRTC in Ernakulam district are yet to achieve breakeven status, about two years since they began service.
The average revenue per km for the AC buses is in the range of Rs. 32 to Rs. 34, while it has to be at least Rs. 48 to achieve the breakeven stage. Similarly, the earnings per km for non-AC buses is Rs. 22, whereas the expenditure hovers around Rs. 30. The AC buses plying to Muvattupuzha, Kothamangalam and Perumbavoor are getting much better collection than their counterparts in the city.
Though many commuters prefer these buses purchased under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme and the RTC's Thirukochi buses over private buses, a prominent reason for their inadequate patronage is the lack of awareness about their arrival at bus stands and prominent bus stops. Very often, personnel manning the RTC's enquiry counter at the Ernakulam Bus station are unable to provide details about their timings over telephone.
KSRTC's Managing Director Alexander Luke said that there is a proposal to make available their detailed timings on the RTC's website (www.keralartc.com). A user-friendly list of timings of these premium services being operated in Kochi is available in the private website www.aanavandi.com.
The RTC's Controlling Inspector in Ernakulam Antony P. X., who is the official-in-charge of the low-floor buses said that taking into account complaints from commuters, a sponsored booklet containing their timings would be released this month.
“Their timings would also be displayed at prominent bus stops, based on a directive of the district development committee. These measures are expected to increase passenger patronage for the buses. Many passengers do not know that both the non-AC buses, Thirukochi services and private buses have Rs. 5 as the minimum fare. They can also travel up to 5 kms in AC buses for the minimum fare of Rs.10,” he said.
Another reason for inadequate passenger patronage is that the RTC's buses often ply as convoys, hampering optimal utilization of its fleet. But RTC officials say that this occurs because of traffic hold ups.
More buses
Though Kochi ought to get 50 AC and 120 non-AC services under the JNNURM scheme, it has so far got only 42 AC and 72 non-AC buses. “We are awaiting funds from the State and Centre for purchasing the full lot of buses and to clear our pending dues. We hope to purchase all the buses by December,” said Sharaf Mohammed, the RTC's Special Officer for JNNURM buses.
Referring to allegations of the RTC not operating its full fleet of 70 Thirukochi buses in Kochi, the agency's Ernakulam zonal officer P. L. Jose said that 50 of them operate in the city and 20 from the city to the Goshree Islands. “Often, we are unable to operate all the buses because of shortage of drivers. More Thirukochi buses are expected, to cater to increasing demand from different routes,” he said.
