A Bold U-Turn

“The transformation of KSRTC as a tech-driven, passenger-friendly and employee –friendly system is remarkable. It has been achieved through key operational reforms and infrastructure and fleet updates.”

K. B. Ganesh Kumar
Minister for Road Transport,Motor Vehicles,Water Transport

Kerala’s transformation is visible in its public transport system. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has undergone a remarkable evolution into a tech-driven, passenger-friendly, and employeefriendly service. Through key operational reforms, infrastructure upgrades, and fleet modernization, KSRTC has redefined mobility across the state, ensuring safer, more efficient, and more comfortable journeys for millions of passengers. Equally significant has been the government’s commitment to the welfare of KSRTC employees. Understanding the difficulties of the employees, salary of KSRTC employees have been distributed in one instalment since August 2024. The salary for the month of March 2025 was distributed on the first of April itself and the salaries for the following months are also paid on the first of the month.

Reforms in Services

Under KSRTC SWIFT registration 116 diesel buses and 50 electric buses have been purchased. Another 115 e-buses have been purchased using the funds allocated by Thiruvananthapuram Smart City Limited. Based on the decision to purchase buses with higher KMPL, more than 500 buses including 100 mini buses, 150 short distance fast passenger buses, 200 superfast buses, 50 long distance fast passenger buses, 6 AC sleeper, 10 seater and 14 AC sleeper cum seater buses will be purchased. Additionally, tenders have been invited for the purchase of 500 non-AC buses and 65 AC buses using the plan funds. Of this, purchase orders have been placed for 132 non-AC buses and 36 AC buses. Moreover, plans are in place to purchase 565 new buses including sleeper buses, AC seater buses and superfast buses. Superfast Premium AC services have been started as the existing Fast Passenger Buses and Premium AC buses are not able to operate reliably due to age. All the Superfast buses operating from Thiruvananthapuram to Thrissur or beyond have been converted into Superfast Limited Stop services. 169 trips are being operated in this manner. Mini Feeder Ordinary services started to operate in place of large diesel buses on routes with less passenger traffic but with social commitment and on rural routes to reduce costs and avoid losses. A project has been prepared to refurbish 90 Super Class buses. KSRTC provides buses for private hire for occasions like weddings, organisational meetings and other private functions. Budget tourism trips are being conducted to enable tourism for the public at low cost. The largest number of tour packages are implemented in association with various departments and agencies of the state government. The budget tourism income has increased from an average of Rs. 1.94 crore per month in 2024 to Rs. 3.29 crore as on March 2025. Drinking water and snacks are being provided to the passengers in the open double-decker city ride. Steps have been taken to implement the scheme in all long-distance services.

Digital Access

To attract passengers to KSRTC and book tickets in advance, a revised online reservation system has been introduced. A mobile application called ‘ente ksrtc neo OPRS’ is available for advance ticket booking. You can track the real-time location of KSRTC buses, get information about bus routes and vacant seats in buses from the Chalo App. Digital payment modes / facility for cashless travel available using Chalo Card. The arrival and departure times of buses, delays, cancellations and route changes can be known in real time through the digital information system at bus stations. This is helpful in significantly reducing customer complaints. City Circular, Point to Point, Bypass Riders etc. are available through Google Maps. All super class services above Super Fast are available on Google Maps. Smart Travel Cards costing Rs 100 have a validity of one year. All passes, including free passes, will soon be converted into RFID cards. Students can register for concession online through the link of the website www. concessionksrtc.com. A digital concession card worth Rs. 110 is being distributed to students up to Plus Two.

Ensuring Employee Welfare

The crew is tested using a breath analyser before starting the service and the employees found to be intoxicated are removed from the service, thereby reducing the accident rate. Comprehensive Insurance scheme implemented for employees -1 crore for accidental death, up to Rs. 1 crore for permanent total disability, up to Rs. 80 lakh for partial disability, and up to Rs. 6 lakh for natural death. Coverage for accident treatment and imported medicines. Educational assistance up to Rs. 10 lakh and marriage assistance of Rs. 5-lakh for daughters of employees. Emergency Medical Care Unit established for the public and employees at 10 depots. Emergency Medical Care Units capable of handling all types of emergencies including geriatrics will be started at 14 district-level depots.

Modernising Depots

Air-conditioned ladies and family waiting areas have been equipped with rest rooms, breastfeeding centres and mobile charging points for passengers. The first phase was started at Thiruvananthapuram Central, Kozhikode, Ernakulam, Angamaly, Palakkad and Thrissur bus stations. Steps have been taken to start a ‘Restaurant cum Super Market’ to provide quality food and essential items to the passengers of KSRTC at the depots. The Millet Model Garden project, jointly prepared by KSRTC and Jagans Millet Bank, was inaugurated at the Pathanapuram depot.

Fresh Perspective

A courier system has been started in KSRTC. Goods can be delivered within 16 hours within Kerala. KSRTC has become the largest fuel distribution outlet network in the state. 14 fuel distribution outlets have been started in the state. Plans are being implemented to increase revenue through hoardings, public announcement system and passenger information system at various places owned by KSRTC. 10 Closed Body Type Mini Mobile Service Vans have been purchased and started operating to immediately fix the faults of buses that break down. A rapid repair team has been formed to avoid loss of time, which works 24 hours a day. Special mobile numbers have been activated for employees to call RRT in case of breakdown of the bus. Modernisation works have been completed in the workshops to convert the regional and central workshops into production centres. A driving school with modern facilities has been started in Thiruvananthapuram. Currently, 19 driving schools are being run. In order to prevent accidents involving KSRTC and KSRTC Swift vehicles, a Chief Office level Accident Monitoring Committee has been formed. Strict disciplinary action and corrective training are given to the drivers and insurance department employees who cause serious accidents. 18005994011 (Tollfree Number), 9447071021, 04712463 799 can be called to register complaints. The public can report any video and photo of violence against bus employees and any complaints including rash driving videos of bus drivers on WhatsApp number 9188619380. New inter-state services have been started from various units in the state to Coimbatore, Tenkasi, Theni, Kambam, Udumalpet and Pollachi. As per the inter-state agreement, a plan has been prepared to start 54 services including 44 services to Tamil Nadu and 10 services to Karnataka. The government has given permission to implement the ANERT project, which will convert old diesel buses of KSRTC into electric buses, on a trial basis. The ANERT project is being implemented by installing LTO batteries in old diesel buses. This reform has not only strengthened employee morale but also reinforced KSRTC’s role as a pillar of Kerala’s inclusive development. Together, these achievements highlight Kerala’s holistic approach—where infrastructure, welfare, and innovation converge to create a resilient and people-centric model of progress.