The recent surge in tensions along the neighboring states as well as the border has cash-strapped Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC). A year after the outbreak of COVID-19, the RTC is still struggling to improve patronage for its inter-state services, specifically for its AC buses.
Last year, it resumed inter-state services in a phased manner and gradually began to increase the number of buses operated. A dip in COVID-19 cases in December was a silver layer in a dark cloud. However, now the boom in COVID-19 cases in states like Maharashtra has dashed any hope of revival. Officials say that only 40% of its fleet of air-conditioned buses is currently plying on interstate routes.
A senior KSRTC official said, “Inter-state services, especially the AC services segment, are showing no signs of recovery. For example, during pre-lockdown time, we ran five AC services from Bangalore to Pune, Mumbai, Shirdi and other places. But now it is difficult to find passengers even for a bus. ”
To kerala
A similar trend is going on routes to Kerala. “We used to operate 25 buses per day, but now it has come down to four or five. And yet, the seats are empty, ”the official said. He attributed the low preoccupation to mandatory tests to take passengers. Even services to other popular destinations such as Hyderabad, Chennai and Tirupati have taken a hit.
“Summer is the time when demand for AC buses increases, but this is not likely to happen this year,” the official said.
Educational change
Another reason is a change in the academic calendar and a short summer vacation. Classes for students are likely to continue through the summer, and families may postpone or skip their travel plans.
“People, who usually travel to their hometowns during this time, have already gone back home due to work from home options. “They will continue to work from their native places until the ban is relaxed,” the official said.
Most AC buses, including the brand new luxury Ambari Dream Class launched in 2019, are dusting off at the depot.
KSRTC has ensured that non AC bus services within the state have made trips and most of the buses are operational.
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