| The great response to the Mangalore-Manipal Volvo | | | | Mangalore-Manipal Volvo buses, would introduce |
| bus services of the KSRTC that commenced about a | | | | similar services on other routes. |
| month ago has stunned the KSRTC Mangalore | | | | The KSRTC has announced that the semi-low floor |
| Division. According to reports, the buses have earned | | | | non-AC Ashok Leyland buses would commence |
| Rs 48 lakhs during a month, despite them pressed | | | | services in the city from this month or early next |
| into service amid strong opposition from the private | | | | month. Nine such buses have been allotted to Kochi, |
| bus lobby. | | | | and they are awaiting the green signal from the |
| The six AC Volvo buses commence services from | | | | Regional Transport Authority. |
| seven in the morning and operate 25 trips during a | | | | The buses would be introduced on three routes. |
| day. The fare is fixed reasonably at Rs 60 and about | | | | Three buses each would operate on the |
| 40 passengers can travel in a bus. KSRTC sources | | | | Poothotta-Njarackal, Panangad-Aluva and |
| revealed that each bus has earned a profit of Rs 1.60 | | | | Chottanikkara-Aluva routes, all via Menaka. With the |
| lakhs per month. | | | | introduction of these buses, the total number of |
| RTO officer Jayanth Kumar says The private bus | | | | JNNURM buses in Kochi would go up to 22. KSRTC |
| operators even thought in terms of reducing their | | | | officials have claimed that the collection from the |
| fare to compete with the Volvo buses and also had | | | | Volvo buses are increasing steadily. |
| plans to start their own AC bus services. But their | | | | In the case of the seven buses introduced in the |
| plans could not succeed due to the RTO restrictions. | | | | first phase, earning per kilometre has started to |
| As expected, the private bus lobby had initially | | | | touch Rs 40 per kilometre which is the break-even |
| created several hurdles for the Volvo buses creating | | | | level. But, the profitability of the six buses started |
| unnecessary obstructions. Still, it could in no way | | | | last week is yet to be ascertained, Sheraf |
| diminish the popularity of the Volvo buses. The | | | | Mohammed, Special Officer, JNNURM, KSRTC to The |
| people of the district would benefit greatly if the | | | | New Indian Express. |
| KSRTC enthused by the great response to the | | | | |