City To Get Double Decker And Vestibule Buses

Years back, Double decker buses were a major attraction of Thiruvananthapuram.The state capital will soon witness the revival of the two-floored buses which once formed the pride of the city. The KSRTC has placed the order for 1000 buses and this includes a couple of double decker buses, two vestibule buses and some more low floor buses which are going to ply along the main routes.


The double decker buses which used to be seen way back in the 1960s lacked a clutch pedal and were driven using automatic lubrication and fluid clutch, surprisingly similar to the mechanism of the hi-tech cars of modern times. They disappeared in the eighties due to technical reasons and non availability of spare parts.


Now you can see the recent double decker buses in KSRTC's Central workshop. The buses operated on the Peroorkada, Sasthamangalam, Medical College and Shankhumukhom routes. The buses were a great attraction due to the sheer novelty of traveling about 20 feet high. After 28 years of service, the first double-decker was scrapped in 1988 due to mechanical problems and non-availability of spare parts. By 1990, all the deckers vanished from the city. Later in 1990, the KSRTC purchased two new Indian-made double-deckers.

The lengthy vestibule buses used to do the rounds in the city and were referred to as ‘road trains’. They too were gradually eliminated owing to difficulties in manoeuvrability on the narrow roads. These vehicles which are to resurface on the city streets with better amenities, will complement the newly plying low-floor A/C buses and are being seen as a welcome sign by commuters who will find it convenient during peak hours.