Kochi is notorious for its vehicular congestion and the refusal of private operators to adhere to rules has only worsened the situation. It has often been observed that these buses are stopped at undesignated spots, thus adding to the chaos on roads. Sources said the transport department had not been able to impose the rules strictly due to political pressure, what with most of the private buses being run by companies belonging to leaders. This is one of the main reasons for delaying the introduction of KSRTC City service..
A city resident, Mohan Kumar said, "The number of private buses has increased over the years and these can be spotted parked at almost every corner. But, It's not convenient to travel by these. Also they drive harsh, they don't follow the traffic rules, drivers will not wear uniform, simply make nuisance. We are waiting for KSRTC to starts it city services. Hope they will start soon"
wow... really a good post, we cochites are desperately need ksrtc buses. Please introduce it as soon as possible.
ReplyDeleteyes... those red bullshits should be thrown away
ReplyDeleteOne thing said here is true. Kochi is very much populated by private buses and there is always a traffic jam during morning and evening in all major roads. This traffic jam / block is one of the main reason for the problem created by private bus employees. Buses are not able to adhere to the time schedule due to this. They cannot run like KSRTC even if it is running late. In my view this effort to keep the time is making problem and this is some thing that KSRTC do not have. Last week I went to Thodupuzha and during my return journey from Thodupuzha KSRTC station there was two buses to Ernakulam parking in the bus station. One was a LSFP and the other was FSLS. Neither Conductor nor Driver was present near both buses. So I asked the station master sir which one will start first. He answered me that FSLS will start at 1:30 and LSFP at 1:40. Then I told him that it is already 1:50. He replied that may be they have gone for lunch. By then another LS from Erattupetta to Ernakulam came and I get in to it.
ReplyDeleteWhat made me laugh in this post is your comment "Apart from this, they're often found guilty of overloading, carrying more passengers than allowed." If you are going to charge for overloading how many cases you will take against KSRTC. Please remember the number of passengers allowed on fast, super fast and express buses are equal to it's seating capacity. Is it happening with KSRTC or Is the rule not applicable to KSRTC. Many times private buses are fined for overloading by motor vehicles department or mobile court. But no such action is taken against KSRTC buses.
Please understand some general facts.
ReplyDelete1. KSRTC is a govt body. Its not a private concern, so there will be limitations But remember one thing, time to time KSRTC performance is getting better.. you cant argue on that.
2. You are right, ksrtc have some monopoly routes. It is there in all states not only in Kerala. And in all other states their state bus is the dominating player not the private one, you can check it in AP, TN, KA, MH etc. and APSRTC having the largest number of buses in ASIA.
3. KSRTC have issues and limitations of funds, thats why private players are allowed to run largely. For example, in Mumbai i can tell you "BEST" is running 3888 city cervices daily(statsistics till yesterday) along with MSRTC, NMMT, TMT, MBMT and KMT. No private route buses...!!!
4. Can you say which private bus is running for a socail cause?. If KSRTC stop all these request schedules, no doubt it will grow better, but cant do that because it is a social service.
5. No buses either SF, FP or local buses are allowed to accomodate more than 20 standing passengers. You please visit any of the northen districts and you can see how many pasengers will be there in a private bus and what is the private Lobby barabarianism is....
In my opinion, as you said, if KSRTC keep punctuality on the existing services, no doubt all routes will profitable (not about interstate and long route)i can tell the examples like KKD-PKD, KGD-KNR, KKD-NBR town to town services. Public wait for KSRTC buses.
Being a government organisation KSRTC do enjoy many freedoms that private operators do not have. They do have some legal protections that private operators do not get. One of the main thing I noticed is they are always let free by traffic police and motor vehicles department checking.
ReplyDeletePrivate bus operators give revenue but KSRTC is always a burden to the government.
Most of the services operated by KSRTC in Kerala are FSLS, fast, super fast or express. But private bus offer cheaper rates. In some route they offer some discounts but KSRTC will not.
Most of the KSRTC services are in conventional routes which causes time and money loss to passengers. For example Ernakulam - Thekkadi service passes through Thripunithura - Vaikkom - Ettumanur - Kottayam - Ponkunnam - Kanjirappilly - Vandiperiyar - Thekkady. While there are private buses (LSOS)which passes through Thrippunithura - Koothattukulam - Ramapuram - Pala - Erattupetta -Kanjirappilly - Vandiperiyar - Thekkady. The private bus route is cheaper and almost one hour can be saved. There are services like Pathanamthitta - Ernakulam via Kottyam where the easy route is through Changanassery - Alappuzha - Ernakulam. There are Thiruvalla - Ernakulam serivces that is also via Kottayam where straight route is Thiruvalla - Ambalappuzha - Alappuzha - Ernakulam. Neither KSRTC will operate straight service nor they will allow private bus operators to conduct service. There are also long trip like Mundakkayam - Kannur operated by Private buses (LSOS) These services are very much cheaper and very punctual. That's why public wait for this private bus. Whenever I have to go to Kasaragod from Ernakulam I always catch these night services as they are cheaper and punctual.
Private buses are more punctual than KSRTC.
KSRTC is also withdrawing from its social responsibilities. Terminating some late night services in nationalised routes are example for this. The reason for termination is low collection. It cannot be justified because the entire collection from that route goes to KSRTC and it can not terminate any one trip (specially last / late night trip) stating that particular trip is loss.
As far as I know no standing passenger is allowed in Fast, super fast, and express service. But KSRTC is deliberately violating this rule.I have seen some private buses (with fast passenger permit) being fined by mobile court or motor vehicle department for overloading. But no super fast bus is fined for this crime. I would say private buses in the state are better in obeying law. I agree that they do this because of the fear.
Where there are Town - Town services public will always wait for that because they can save time. At present only KSRTC is allowed to conduct TT service.
"I would say private buses in the state are better in obeying law"
ReplyDeleteAre you joking ?
Hi manikandan as u said that nobody is giving fine for ksrtc, In an interview given by CMD senkumar sir to ksrtcblog, he said that the motor vehicle department and ksrtc is like keeri and snake. They are giving fine to ksrtc like anything starts from simple issues.
ReplyDeleteEven i have seen many times, the RTO is giving fine to ksrtc drivers for over speed. Standing will not allow for buses after deluxe, ie deluxe, ac and volvo. They will not allow standing in the forthcoming express buses also.
You do one more thing, if ksrtc is not allowing anyone to travel standing, the people will make a big scene and create a big issue. By paying such high fare are they are ready to travel for long distance by standing. I have seen many persons travelling like this in Bangalore ernakulam express?
Can't they use any other buses like TNSTC or KA RTC or any private buses?
They are doing this because, they just trust KSRTC.
1. If private lobby dont have legal protection you will not see any private buses on nationlised routes.
ReplyDelete2.The bus charge in Kerala is too high only because of threatens of this private lobby, in other states there is no private bus lobby as such in local routes so not that much high, and also ksrtc will start VENAD in all routes/nationalised slowly.
3.I already mentioned you KSRTC have limitations eventhough they started season pass in KGD-MGLR route, that will extend to all routes as per Minister.
4.KSRTC is a not a revenue making instrument but private bus IS....No govt offices are making revenues ..for your INFO.
5. Private buses should be punctual otherwise we will see street fight in between staffs of buses..!!!
6. Regarding the routes mentioned, KSRTC may start convinient routes as per avialability of buses, routes and staffs. AND THIS IS OUR DECISION TO PICK PRIVATE OR KSRTC for our journey. If you dont want to go in KSRTC its ur decision.
7. If somebody want to go for private nobody will stop you.
8. Can you say how many routes that run for a public cause has stopped by KSRTC?. KSRTC have service on highway round the clock especially on TVM-KGD, PLKD-KKD, KKD-MYSORE routes. Can you tell HOW MANY PRIVATE BUSES ARE RUNNING FOR A PUBLIC CAUSE, SUFFERING LOSS.....PLEASE ANSWER..
9.You can see on all private buses written, infront total capacity is total seat capacity +2+10. What does it mean.. it simply means that only 10 passengers can stand inside a bus. Which private bus is keeping this rule...Please answer.
10.For your information KTC (I think you know a popular concern) and Kapat travels, both are started TOWN-TOWN service on KKD-PLKD, then what happened .. only they can tell...right now u cant see any town-town KTC or KAPAT on this route.
Note: Railway started a new service from Nilambur to Shornur from early morning. Because of that 4 private buses and 2 KSRTC buses were stopped their schedules from Nilambur. So what private buses are goign to do?.. are they going to court for getting a stay against the new train..KSRTC wil never do that anyway.....
Private buses are best,They are very punctual, clean and provide reduction in fares.
ReplyDeleteKSRTC eating our money
KSRTC eating public money is a big concern. Immediate reforms in KSRTC is needed.
ReplyDeleteSujith thank you for not deleting my comments against KSRTC in this blog. You really deserve appreciation for making and maintaining this blog. It also give a lot of useful informations about KSRTC to general public. I would like to see this blog as a platform were people can criticise KSRTC. It should not be a venture only to glorify KSRTC. I hope KSRTC authorities pay proper attention to this blog. Once again my best wishes to you and to your blog.
ReplyDeleteComing to the points you said it is really a new information to me that MVD & RTA charges KSRTC for over speeding, overload. I have travelled many times from Kasaragod to Thiruvanamthapuram during the past 13 years as a part of my job. Not a single time I was able to face such a situation with KSRTC. But many times they have come across private buses during night. I do personally know many drivers / conductors of KSRTC some of them are my classmates too. I will ask to them and will come back to you.
In my view the majority of standing passengers in superfast / express bus are short distance travellers. Due this long distance travellers are not able to catch a comfortable seat. This always make problem. I would suggest that KSRTC should start chain services like Town - Town service (ordinary rate) and long service buses should have very limited stops. also the minimum charge of a long service must be some percentage of total journey rate. Here peoples are forced to travel for long distance by standing because of less number of short distance services. KSRTC is exploiting people.
Regarding interstate services peoples are ready stand in KSRTC only when no other service is available or they prefer money not the quality of service. I have few friends who shuttle between BGLR - EKM every week. They always prefer private bus because they are more punctual so that the passengers can reach for duty on time on Monday. On private bus no standing passengers are allowed. They may accommodate few on driver cabin. I do not have much experience in this route.
@ Mithun
ReplyDeleteI do believe that on nationalised routes there is only KSRTC conducting through service. Private buses are conducting partial service. Legal protection that KSRTC buses have is not available to private buses and its staff.
If private bus need more charges let them collect it. Why KSRTC is implementing the same change each time? It is not mandatory to collect the same charge as private buses do. If you take my route from my station to ernakulam all private buses charge Rs.10 where as KSRTC ordinary service charges Rs.11/- There are about 200 private buses and 30 KSRTC buses operating in my route. The deference is because of the incorrect fare staging. Private operators where ready to correct it. But KSRTC is collecting higher charges. There are three more such points in my route (Ernakulam - Paravur via Gosree Brudges). What a social responsibility.
Season pass is good technique to ensure volume of passengers. Hope KSRTC will not cheat them by reducing number of services.
KSRTC is collecting money from passenger equal to or more than that collected by private buses. We pay insurance cess only in KSRTC. Private buses are paying insurance and road tax and employees welfare fund from their income. No subsidy is offered by government. So KSRTC should meet their expense from their own income. As per the news letter of KSRTC about 330Crore rupees has already given to KSRTC. i.e. about Rs.2050 to each schedule (5002 schedule total)per day.
There is no one beat KSRTC so they run as they wish. For example running time from my station to Ernakulam is 45 minutes (about 21km) private bus do keep this time. In every two minute there is a bus. But KSRTC ordinary bus will only take 35 minutes and they will overtake at least 5 buses. So to save time many wait for KSRTC.
I always prefer a service which is economical, saves time and comfortable regardless of Private or RTC
Private buses are not running for public cause. For them it is a business. But KSRTC is a government body. In many routes they have monopoly. Collection from all route goes to a single management. So they should adjust it with other routes. KSRTC can not act like a private bus owner. It also get a huge amount from government as financial aid. There are many late night services that KSRTC has stopped saying that it is not feasible. Some are Aluva - N.Paravur (1:10 AM from Aluva) Aluva - Paravur is a nationalised route. All other service are making profit. They can not stop last trip because it is loss. Ernakulam - Kannur (via Paravur, Guruvayur arout 00:30AM from Ernakualam) These were two services that I used to travel during late night.
This is the same as in KSRTC PC48 LUG105. Are they following it. Neither Private nor KSRTC is keeping passenger capacity. But even in Super fast and Express buses passengers are forced to travel by standing.
I don't have much experience in that route. Only once I went to nilambur. Then I waited 45 minutes for a TT to perinthalamanna. I was not able to get one.
Train and Bus are two deferment mode of transport. I don't want to compare them.
Thanks for a healthy debate..!!
ReplyDeletePrivate buses are getting permits on nationalised routes with the help of some court orders.Otherwise, how can they run on Palakkad -Thrissur, KKD-EKM, etc ..for an example.
I have discussed this issue long back with a conductor, he told that you can grab a stay order or something and stick on that.
Regarding fairstage issue, lots of complaints are there. This is not about a single route but you can see a lot. For example, Mannarkkad -Perintalmmana on NH 213, KSRTC charging less than that of private.You cannot only blame KSRTC, as private buses are also avail the same advantage on many routes. In Ramanattuakra, near Kozhikkode, an incident happen were the private buses were stopped their services due to correction on fairstage.
YOU CAN'T EXPECT 100% PUNCTAULITY IN THE NEAR FUTURE ANYWAY IN KSRTC ..!!! But i think it will happen in near future as i already told you private buses are ruuning only on time because they need to fear other buses in the route..(they will adjust with overspeed or slow speed otherwise).
Season pass is an experiment. It was a success on MGLORE-KGD route, so that they are going to implement on other routes.KSRTC will maintain the service as per the avialability of staffs and buses.
I have already commented you regarding the ticket difference.
How can you tell KSRTC is monopoly in many routes..KSRTC only have 30% services in Kerala. So how it become a monopoly?;;;Private buses are there in almost all routes.. Can you say how privae buses are running on a kOTTYAM-KGD route. Do they have proper permits or runninng with some special/temporary permit..? What is the KM limit for a private bus to run in Kerala...?NO answer.
Regarding Nilambur -Perintalmmana route, You dont have that much KSRTC's to pick up. But you can pick a private bus.
I have just mentioned regarding a train because you cant just blame to something. Even that train grabbed lots of passengers.
As per a Mathrubhumi news, around 5 daily KKD-BLORE private buses were cancelled their shedules because of the introduction of daily train in KNR-BLORE route, that will also affect KSRTC as they have more than 15 services daily via KKD.
NOw, again private buses are going for a strike on 23 and for an indefinite on next month. It is only becuase private have the domination here. You cant see this circus in any nearby states....
I except your sentence "KSRTC should meet their expense from their own income" become true in near future.
Thanks for a healthy debate..!!
ReplyDeleteIn very few nationalised routes, may be only KSRTC will be operarating alone. But mostly, private buses are running as a normal route with the help of some court orders and all.
If legal protection is not avialable for private buses, then how they have shcedule on TSR-PLKD, KKD-EKM, KKD-PLKD, etc routes. There are around 32 routes are nationalised and almost on all routes, private buses are dominating.
Regarding fairstage, we have lot of examples for fairstage issues throughout the state. In NH213, between PMNA-MKD, KSRTC is having less ticket charge than the private players.
The fact is private buses are mostly enjoying this fairstage conflicts..!!
KSRTC has introduced season ticket in MGLORE-KGD route and found as success and now going to implement in all main routes. The services will be there if KSRTC have enough buses and staffs and no influences from political parties on behalf of private lobbies.
Leave the case of social responsibility. How many private buses are maintaing their last trip properly..? As per you comment i understand that you have the facility of both private and ksrtc buses. But, i am from northern Kerala and i see and experienced that lots of schedules are stopping in between,or would cancel only because of loss. The same is also come into the account of KSRTC once in a while.I agreed.
Yes, you are correct. Private buses are not allowing to stand inside bus from Banglore. if their seat become fill they will start. But for your information, if the bus is not become full, then those who are there inside the bus will suffer. I CAN GUARANTEE YOU THAT NO INTERSTATE PRIVATE BUS WILL RUN ON TIME IF THEY DONT GET THEIR SEAT FILLED, AND IN Banglore bound BUSes KeSRTC VOLVO IS THE MOST CONVINIENT, PUNCTUAL AND FASTEST BUS TO KERALA..!!
In Nilambur-PMNA route, you cant find that much KSRTC buses freequently, but you can find private buses enough if you are in a hurry.
I have mentioned the case of train just to point out the situation where you cant do much.
In Mathrubhumi,i read 2-3 weeks back that, morethan 5 private buses to Blore from KKD were cancelled due to the introduction of a daily train from KNR-BLORE. We also need to udnerstand that 15+ KSRTC schedules are via KKD, that will also get affected because of this.
Now we are again going to face another strike this month by private bus players. This will happen only in Kerala because private is the key player, no nearby states are going to face these issues.
Are there season passes offered for passengers in ksrtc as of now?
ReplyDelete