Renting out Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses for weddings, picnics and pilgrimages to private parties seems to have given some sort of a financial succour to the ailing State-owned company.
But KSRTC officials say rates are not that attractive to woo more clients in Malabar. Plans are afoot to bring down the tariff. A final decision to revise the tariff fixed five years ago has to be taken by the top management, a senior official said, adding that the KSRTC Kozhikode depot earned less than ₹2 lakh in the past three to four months.
As of now, the KSRTC charges ₹10,000 for 4 hours or 100 km for AC buses; ₹15,000 for 6 hours or 150 km, ₹18,000 for 8 hours or 200 km and ₹21,000 for above 8 hours. For non-AC buses, the rates are ₹7,000 for 4 hours and 100 km; ₹10,500 for 8 hours and 200 km and ₹16,000 for above 8 hours and 200 km.
This is apart from the six per cent service tax levied for both AC and non-AC buses. For above 200 km, the KSRTC collects ₹100 per km for AC buses and ₹70 per km for non-AC buses and ₹40 per km for ordinary buses.
KSRTC Zonal Manager K. Mohammed Safarulla said the buses that are hired included low-floor AC buses. Only spare buses are provided for private purposes.
Under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), Kozhikode depot has a fleet of 15 low-floor AC buses. Many people prefer AC low-floor buses for convenience and comfort. The KSRTC also provides a driver for private functions.
