KSRTC will hire private buses to alleviate cost of maintenance

 

KSRTC has made a crucial decision to hire commercial buses in order to reduce maintenance costs. KSRTC would employ 250 buses in the first stage, comprising both AC and non-AC buses.

The KSRTC currently spends a significant amount of money on repairs and maintenance. The corporation's approach is aimed at lessening this expense.

The KSRTC is currently in negotiations with two bus rental businesses. Bengaluru-based 'Ganga Transport' and Mumbai-based 'Auto Froze Travel Solutions' signed the MoU.

Twenty Scania buses with air conditioning, ten non-AC sleeper buses, and ten normal buses will be hired from both companies. Non-AC buses would be charged a fee of Rs 13 per kilometre. Tenders for the purchase of the remaining buses from other businesses have been issued.

The agreement is for a period of two years. KSRTC provides the necessary crew and fuel for the buses. Private firms will be in charge of repairs and taxes.

A bus currently costs roughly Rs. 1000-1200 when a regular run is completed. Taxes also take up a major portion of the budget.

The service period for 894 KSRTC buses has now ended. Following this, the decision was made to buy 700 new buses. The decision to rent private buses, on the other hand, was based on the idea that purchasing new buses would be more expensive.

Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh have already undertaken similar initiatives. Officials from the KSRTC said that this project is quite profitable.