KSRTC on massive modernisation drive

Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will embark on a massive upgradation and modernisation of bus stations in the state.

They will be done in phased manner. The first phase of the plan will see 31 out of 110 bus stations being modernised at an investment of Rs 29 crore, KSRTC managing director M R Srinivasa Murthy said.

The bus stations proposed to be modernised are spread over 12 districts and 19 taluk headquarters in the jurisdiction of KSRTC.

These bus stations have been identified for upgradation based on the report by a consultant hired by the corporation to identify the potential available to develop them, Murthy told Business Standard.

"Our aim is to provide regular, reliable, comfortable and cost-effective passenger transport service without compromising on safety," he said.

The upgradation plan includes modernisation of parking space for buses, improvement of passenger amenities such as waiting lounges, drinking water, toilets and landscaping. It also includes development of commercial space in terms of shops, offices and public parking at the chosen bus stations, he said.

Of the total cost, the state government will fund Rs 12 crore, a loan of Rs 15 crore at 7.5 per cent interest will be obtained from Housing and Urban Development Corporation (Hudco) and Rs 2 crore will come from internal accruals. The first phase of the project will be completed by March 2006.

For 2004-05, KSRTC registered a profit of Rs 26.55 crore on a total turnover of Rs 891.18 crore.

KSRTC chief civil engineer and estate officer S Jagadeesh Chandra said the corporation has identified key bus stations in its jurisdiction with the help of Consulting Engineering Services Limited (CESL) for developing commercial space.

The corporation, which presently generates Rs 10 crore in revenues annually by renting out commercial space at bus stations, aims to increase the revenue to Rs 25 crore over the next few years.

The corporation has rented out seven shops for Rs 3 lakh per month at the recently constructed satellite bus terminal on Mysore Road.

Srinivasa Murthy said that the corporation is also working on upgrading its branded bus services offered in the state.

Presently, the KSRTC is running six categories of buses such as Airavata (A Volvo bus service for long distance routes), Mayura (A bus service for long distance), Rajahamsa (non A ultra deluxe buses), semi-deluxe without pushback seats, express buses for long distance and shuttle buses for city and rural areas.

"We are in the business of providing services to the public and there is a need to constantly evolve new concepts. We are doing this every now and then," he said.

Some of the new services the corporation is introducing in the state include setting up of one stop shop for booking tickets called 'Travel Shop' across the state. It is also in the process of procuring 100 Volvo buses for long distance journey, Murthy added.