KSRTC-SWIFT begins new services

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is inching towards a better future, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said.

Speaking after inaugurating the opening service of the KSRTC-SWIFT, the newly formed legally independent company to run the long distance buses of the KSRTC, here on Monday, he said the State government would extend all the support to lead the KSRTC to its prosperity and it was important for everyone to extend their full support for this cause.

Local Self Government Minister M.V. Govindan released the guidebook of Gramavandi, a special service to be launched by the KSRTC in collaboration with the Local Self Governments of the State to provide public transport to the rural and socially backward areas in the village, at the function that was presided over by Transport Minister Antony Raju.

Since KSRTC is not being able to take the responsibility for holding services to the rural villages on the requests of the people’s representatives due to its financial constraints, the only condition for holding the Gramavandi services to these areas is that the diesel cost be borne entirely by the local bodies from their own funds or by means of sponsors. The salary of employees, maintenance of buses, insurance, and other costs would be borne by the KSRTC.

The routes of the buses and the timing of the services could be decided by the local self-government bodies. Advertisements of private individuals and institutions sponsored under the scheme would be displayed on the buses. Thiruvananthapuram Corporation had allocated ₹1 crore in the budget for Gramavandi service, said a release from the KSRTC. Minister of Education V. Sivankutty launched KSRTC-SWIFT website, while Minister for Civil Supplies G.R. Anil distributed free coupons to those who made the first reservation in Gajaraja buses at the function.