Now Reading: KSRTC rural bus suspensions hit Idukki commuters on holidays
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KSRTC rural bus suspensions hit Idukki commuters on holidays
The Story in Brief
Protests have erupted in Idukki over the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) suspending rural bus services on Sundays and public holidays, leaving commuters stranded. The Grama Vandi service from the Moolamattom depot, launched with support from Arakkulam and Kudayathoor panchayats, did not operate for four consecutive days from Sunday, 18 October, according to local complaints.
Depot authorities cite low passenger numbers on holidays as the reason. However, residents question the decision, noting that people need public transport for work and essential travel. Commuters fear repeated cancellations could further reduce passenger numbers and ticket collections when services resume. Meanwhile, private buses are reportedly running profitably on routes where KSRTC services have been suspended.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The suspension of rural KSRTC services on holidays exposes a gap between operational logic and commuter needs in Idukki. Depot authorities justify the move by low ridership, but residents argue that predictable service is itself a precondition for ridership: cancelling services may shrink the very passenger base used to justify the cancellations. The Grama Vandi, a service backed by local panchayats, was specifically designed for routes with no regular buses, making its four-day halt from 18 October particularly acute. The fact that private buses are reportedly thriving on the same routes suggests unmet demand that public transport is failing to capture. The key open question is whether KSRTC will adjust its holiday schedule or let the service atrophy further.
Source: onmanorama.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
