Commuters left in the lurch after KSRTC bus reallocation in Thiruvananthapuram city
In 2023, under the Smart City initiative, KSRTC launched 113 electric buses for its city circular network in partnership with the corporation. The buses offered a flat fare of Rs 10 per ride or Rs 150 for a 24-hour pass, providing affordable and dependable connectivity across neighborhoods. Unlike KSRTC's regular distance-based fare system, these buses ensured budget-friendly travel regardless of distance. However, with over 50% of the fleet now diverted to routes connecting Thiruvananthapuram with Neyyattinkara, Vellarada and Kollam, the remaining city services struggle to meet demand.
Former transport minister Antony Raju, who introduced 163 electric buses during his tenure, criticized the diversion. "These buses were meant exclusively for the city and were an instant hit, especially for residents in interior areas who could rely on services every 10 minutes. Diverting them to other districts is unfair and needs immediate rectification," he told TOI.
The repercussions are stark for daily commuters.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Knee pain prices might surprise you
Knee pain | search ads
Find Now
Undo
Rekha Nair, a schoolteacher from Sasthamangalam, said, "The 6C brown bus was my only reliable option. Now, with erratic timings and overcrowding, I'm late almost every day." Delivery agent Mukesh echoed her frustration: "When buses don't arrive, we're forced to take autos, which are expensive and unreliable." Jagathy resident Hari Shankar, who relied on the electric buses to reach his office in Kowdiar, added, "They were affordable and punctual.
Now, I don't know how to manage." KSRTC defended the reallocation, citing growing demand for sustainable inter-district travel. A senior official acknowledged the backlash but stressed strategic priorities. "We recognise commuters' concerns. The shift aims to boost green transit options statewide. Still, we will review service gaps and adjust allocations as needed," the official said.
The city's circular bus service features a seven-colour scheme with each colour corresponding to a specific route.
These buses operate every 10 minutes during peak hours and 30 minutes otherwise, ensuring seamless connectivity since their rollout.
As of 2025, the network has 13 routes, 1,000 stops, 24 interchange points, with a fleet of over 130 buses, including electric buses. But with some electric buses diverted to inter-district services, these well-planned colour routes are now disrupted, causing service gaps and commuter frustration.
Stay updated with the latest local news from your
city
on
Times of India
(TOI). Check upcoming
bank holidays
,
public holidays
, and current
gold rates
and
silver prices
in your area.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
9 minutes ago
- India.com
Rs 13263506360 deal! Narayana Murthy's BIG move, Infosys to acquire 75% stake in…, will boost tech giants…
Infosys will acquire a 75% stake in Versent Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Australian telecom major Telstra, for AUD 233.25 million (around Rs 1336 crore), the IT company said in a regulatory filing. Infosys To Acquire 75% Stake In Telstra The deal is part of a strategic partnership between Infosys and Telstra to establish a joint venture for delivering AI-powered cloud and digital solutions to businesses across Australia. 'Infosys will acquire 75 per cent of the shareholding in Versent Group, Australia's leading Digital Transformation Solutions Provider, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Telstra Group, that delivers cloud and digital transformation,' the filing said. The company has acquired a 75 per cent stake for 233.25 million Australian dollars, about Rs 1,336 crore, through a transaction in Telstra Purple Pty, the filing said. What Is Versent Group? According to the filing, Versent Group is Telstra Purple Pty Ltd and is the integration of Versent, Epicon, Telstra Purple Digital and associated Cloud Access products. Infosys will have operational control, while Telstra will continue to retain a 25 per cent minority stake in Versent Group. 'This strategic collaboration will see Versent Group's cloud and digital transformation expertise boosted by Infosys' advanced AI capabilities, Cloud, Data and Digital consulting services. The collaboration will leverage Infosys Topaz and cloud offering Infosys Cobalt, as well as the cybersecurity capabilities of The Missing Link,' the filing said. With a team of 650 engineers, advisors, strategists spread across Australia, Versent Group strengthens Infosys' local presence. Versent Group primarily serves large blue-chip organizations with established presence in government and education, financial institutions, energy, and the utilities sector. (With Inputs From PTI)
India Today
17 minutes ago
- India Today
Ather introduces ‘Battery as a Service,' new ownership plans
Electric two-wheeler manufacturer Ather Energy has announced a series of initiatives to make their electric scooters more accessible for consumers. The company has introduced Battery as a Service (BaaS), expanded its assured buyback programme, and rolled out an extended comprehensive warranty (ECW), directly addressing three major concerns for potential EV buyers: high upfront cost, uncertainty over resale value, and warranty as a Service (BaaS)With the new BaaS model, customers can purchase the Ather Rizta starting at Rs 75,999 (ex-showroom, Lucknow) and the 450 Series starting at Rs 84,341, excluding the battery cost. Instead, the battery can be accessed through monthly usage-based plans starting as low as Rs 1 per kilometre (minimum 1,000km/month for 48 months), offered via Ather's banking and NBFC approach lowers the initial purchase price by up to 30 per cent, making EV ownership more affordable. Customers also receive one year of free fast charging at Ather's 3,300+ public fast chargers nationwide, helping tackle both range anxiety and charging buyback programme Initially launched in February 2024 for a limited group, Ather's Assured Buyback is now available to a broader customer base. The programme guarantees up to 60 per cent of the scooter's value after three years and up to 50 per cent after four years, subject to kilometres travelled. This provides buyers with clear visibility on the long-term value of their investment in a rapidly evolving EV comprehensive warrantyThe ECW extends coverage on the battery and 11 other critical components, including the motor, motor controller, dashboard, and charger, for up to five years or 60,000 km (whichever comes first). Available for all AtherStack Pro customers, this warranty aims to protect against unexpected repair costs and enhance long-term ownership on the initiatives, Ravneet S Phokela, Chief Business Officer, Ather Energy, said, "As the EV segment continues to grow in the country, we see customers with different needs and challenges entering the segment. To unlock the segment's true potential and accelerate growth, we've rolled out a slew of initiatives to cater to the different needs of our potential customers. With BaaS, ECW and Assured Buyback, we aim to address major barriers that exist for customers when purchasing a new EV scooter. As one of the leading players, we stay committed to making it easier for families to experience the benefits of EVs."Subscribe to Auto Today Magazine- Ends
Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
Alaska red flag for India as Trump heads out for Putin meeting
TOI correspondents from Washington: When elite Indian Air Force pilots, including the celebrated Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh, India's first female Rafale flyer, participated in US-led Red Flag exercises in Alaska at the Elmendorf and Eielson Air Force Bases (AFBs) a year ago, flying half way across the world with a panoply of India's air assets including Russian-made jets, little could anyone have imagined that Washington would be red-flagging New Delhi for buying oil for Moscow. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now But here we are: As US President Donald Trump headed out to the very same Elmendorf AFB to meet Russia's leader Vladimir Putin on Friday, Trump aides left little doubt that India would pay the price if Washington failed to bend Moscow to its whim. "If things don't go well, then sanctions or secondary tariffs (on India) could go up," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in an interview to Bloomberg TV, setting the stage for New Delhi to be the fall guy, while providing an off-ramp for China, which buys more Russian oil than India does. Maintaining that he's 'not going to get ahead" of the mercurial President, who's "the best at creating leverage for himself," Bessent offered a remarkable insight into why western powers are reluctant to punish China: when he asked the leaders at the table at the recent G7 summit in Canada whether they were willing to put a 200 per cent secondary tariff on Beijing, "everybody wanted to see what kind of shoes they were wearing," a reference to China's manufacturing might that has the west in a stranglehold. Bessent's remarks came even as Trump tempered expectation from what will be the Putin's first visit to America in nearly a decade and the first domestic U.S.–Russia summit since 1988, saying it could just be a prelude to a tri-lateral meeting that will also bring in Ukraine's leader Voldymyr Zelansky within days. The US President will meet the Russian leader in one-on-one closed-door meeting kicks off at 11:30 am Alaska time, followed by a broader delegation session over a working breakfast at the Elmendorf AFB.
