Budget tourism trips in Kerala conducted by the KSRTC is going full throttle

Budget tourism trips of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation offers scenic tours across the state exploring tourist destinations, historical places etc

“Who would have thought that I would go on solo trips at this age? I feel 16, not 60,” a child-like happiness is palpable in Jessy Joseph’s voice. This retired teacher from Thiruvananthapuram is referring to the budget tourism trips of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC).

The KSRTC buses, or aanavandi, as they are fondly called, the name derived from the two elephants that are part of its emblem, have been plying passengers to tourist destinations, temples, historical places, monuments etc across the State. The initiative, run by the Budget Tourism Cell (BTC), a vertical under the KSRTC, was launched in 2021.

A whopping 1,500 tour packages are in force now, operated by 90 out of the total 93 KSRTC depots in Kerala, while bringing relief to the cash-strapped KSRTC. “The stipulated target is ₹10 crore a month, which is not easily attainable. But we could collect half of it in December-January. Last month’s revenue was ₹3 crore, while it was ₹80 lakh the same time last year,” says R Udayakumar, Chief Traffic Manager, KSRTC.

An idea mooted by Biju Prabhakar, the former managing director of the KSRTC, the BTC trips have covered many unexplored scenic spots in the State. “No other State has such an elaborate scheme. Karnataka is doing it on a small scale, that too through contract carriages,” Udayakumar adds.

The first BTC package, before the official launch of the Cell, was from Chalakkudy depot to Malakkappara on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border in Thrissur district, in September 2021. “I was a passenger then and it turned out to be so memorable that I have been part of almost all trips from Chalakkudy depot. A favourite of the lot has been to Mamalakkandam [in Ernakulam district]. The picturesque trail was adventurous as well as refreshing. I am now waiting for new packages,” says Bindu KU, a government employee, who has been on over 20 package tours.

Currently there are BTC services to Malakkappara from all KSRTC depots, the highlight of the package being a journey cutting through a forest area, with viewpoints at Athirappilly, Charpa, Vazhachal, Peringalkoothu dam, Anakkayam bridge, Sholayar dam, tea estates etc.

The packages are priced from ₹200 onwards, as in the case of Nagarakazhchakal, a two-hour ride on an open-top electric double-decker within Thiruvananthapuram city. It goes up to ₹6,500, for a two-day package from Kasaragod depot to Gavi in Pathanamthitta district. Except for short trips, the rates cover food and accommodation. Passengers are put up in dormitories with neat restrooms, an official says.