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Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Technopark employees urge KSRTC to resume weekend long-distance bus services
Thiruvananthapuram: With increasing weekend travel difficulties, those working at Technopark have demanded the resumption of weekend long-distance KSRTC bus services from the campus. These services were halted during the pandemic and never reinstated. The techies are set to meet KSRTC MD on June 7 to address the issue. Before the pandemic, KSRTC operated multiple weekend buses connecting Technopark to major parts of the state. However, after the shift to remote work during the lockdown, the services were discontinued and have not resumed even after most companies returned to hybrid or full office work modes. "Employees are now back in the office, but KSRTC has not resumed the weekend services," said Rajeev Krishnan, convenor of Prathidwani, the socio-cultural and welfare organisation of IT employees in Technopark. "This has forced many to rely on trains, where getting a confirmed ticket over the weekend is a constant struggle. Restoring KSRTC services will ease this burden and encourage safer, more reliable travel options," he added. In response to growing concerns, a delegation from Prathidwani met transport minister K B Ganesh Kumar in Feb this year to raise the issue. The minister assured the delegation that the matter would be examined. However, services were not reinstated. A Thrissur-bound service was started but was also halted, citing an insufficient number of passengers. "Long queues at railway stations, last-minute cancellations and overcrowded compartments have made travel unpredictable and stressful," said Jayakrishna R, joint executive committee member of KSRTC Forum in Prathidwani. Sources within KSRTC acknowledged the growing demand and admitted that resuming these services was under consideration. "We will look into the issue and will come up with a solution soon. The outcome of the meeting with the KSRTC MD will be critical in determining whether the long-pending service gets the green light for reintroduction," said a senior KSRTC official. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
New Indian Express
21-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Minister Ganesh Kumar spots minors riding scooter, orders strict action
KOLLAM: Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar took swift action after spotting four minor children riding a scooter without a licence during a procession in Kollam on Tuesday. The incident occurred as Ganesh Kumar was heading to the stage to inaugurate the annual Kudumbashree celebration in Pathanapuram. Upon noticing the underage riders, he stopped and questioned them, before directing the officials to identify the vehicle owner and take strict action. 'Call the inspector and tell him we need to find out who the owner is. Then inform the RTO and cancel the owner's licence. They are giving the motorbike to underage kids, kids not even 18. If they fall and die, we'll have to take responsibility. They have no helmet and licence. When the owner shows up, we must hand over the vehicle to the RTO. That's the law,' the minister said. Ganesh Kumar reiterated that vehicle owners must be held accountable for allowing minors to operate two-wheelers.
New Indian Express
06-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
KSRTC offers up to Rs 1 crore insurance cover to employees
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The KSRTC will roll out insurance package for its employees in connection with the fourth anniversary of the LDF government. Minister K B Ganesh Kumar said the scheme is being implemented in cooperation with the SBI and it will come into effect from June 4. The scheme will benefit 22,095 permanent employees and they need not pay the premium for basic package, he said. The families of those who die in accidents will get Rs 1 crore. The families of those who die in air accidents will get Rs 1.6 crore. Those who sustain permanent disability in accidents will get up to Rs 1 crore. The partially disabled will get up to Rs 80 lakh. The families of employees, who drew above Rs 25,000 as monthly salary and expired due to natural reasons will get Rs 6 lakh as aid. The children of the staff who die in accident will get up to Rs 10 lakh for their education. Their female child will get Rs 5 lakh towards meeting marriage expenses. Post-accident treatment and importing of medicine will be covered. The staff can also upgrade their package by paying extra premium wherein they will get a coverage ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 15 lakh, Ganesh said. He said those suffering from severe health issues will be redeployed in offices. The department will be fully computerised from April 22. Smart cards will be provided to students for concession by June.
New Indian Express
06-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
For the first time in eight years, KSRTC staff get their salaries in the same month
KOCHI: The nearly 28,000 employees of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) were in for a pleasant surprise when the financially struggling state public-sector undertaking (PSU) disbursed their April salaries 'on the last working day of the month' — for the first time in nearly eight years. This is a welcome change from the usual practice of the corporation delaying salary disbursement, at times even crediting the previous month's salary in instalments. In fact, for the past two months, Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar has been keeping his promise of crediting the full salary in the first day of the new month. While detractors point out that this is being done by availing a Rs 100-crore overdraft at 10.8 per cent interest from the State Bank of India, the KSRTC management claims they can now afford to do so — thanks to the monthly government grant of Rs 50 crore and increased revenue collection.'There was a time when staff salaries were disbursed on the last working day of the month. But for the last many years, wages were delayed due to financial constraints. Employees were credited the April salary on the last day of the month. This has happened after a gap of nearly eight years. The minister had promised to disburse the salary on the first day of the new month. Since May 1 was a holiday, the salary for the month of April was paid in advance, on April 30 itself,' a top KSRTC official said. 'The situation has changed for the better since March. We received two salary credits in April. This is also the ninth consecutive month that the entire salary has been disbursed in a single instalment,' the official said.
New Indian Express
25-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Private bus operators plan strike route against long-distance permit delay
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Peeved at the transport department's inaction over long-distance permits, private bus operators are planning to go on strike. The Kerala State Bus Operators Federation (KSBOF) will take a call on the protest on Saturday. The federation has accused the transport department of stalling approvals despite the Kerala High Court overturning an earlier order that reserved the permits exclusively for KSRTC services. 'It's been quite some time since the HC ruled in our favour. Still, the government is dragging its feet on implementing the verdict. A decision on launching a protest will be taken at our state committee meeting on Saturday,' said Hamsa Erikunnan, KSBOF general secretary. At present, 241 permits for routes over 140 km and more than 1,500 limited-stop services are pending approval. The KSRTC has not challenged the HC ruling in the Supreme Court even after receiving legal advice on March 20 to proceed with an appeal. The counsel had argued that private operators could not be granted permits beyond what is allowed under Rule 2 (oa) of the Kerala Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar had earlier said the KSRTC would file an appeal and introduce new buses along these routes. The KSRTC took control of 243 bus routes through a notification issued on May 4, 2023. However, it could manage to operate less than 25% of the services, citing delay in securing funds for new buses. The gap in service has severely affected commuters, especially in high-range regions like Idukki, where residents had staged protests demanding restoration of services. Hamsa said the KSRTC's move has harmed not only the travelling public but also the private transport sector. 'Only 100 buses are currently running in the above-140 km category. Around 150 operators have quit due to the prolonged legal uncertainty,' he said. The long distance bus operations by private operators in Ernakulam, Idukki, Kozhikode and Kottayam have been affected by the delay in approving permits.
