Kottayam: Large sections of people faced much hardship when private buses went on strike, but for the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), it proved to be a ‘bumper lottery.’ The transport corporation’s collection during the four days of the strike stood at a whopping Rs 30.26 crore, which also offered some relief to the cash-starved public sector undertaking.
Moreover, KSRTC’s daily collection on Monday – Rs 8.50 crore - is the highest in its history. The corporation, in fact, bettered its own collection record twice during these four days. On the first day of the private bus strike – February 16 – KSRTC collected Rs 7.22 crore, which was significantly higher than the previous day’s figure of Rs 5.94 crore. It was on the second day of the strike that KSRTC set the first collection record – Rs 7.85 crore.
However, on the third day, a Sunday, the collection fell to Rs 6.69 crore. But Monday presented a contrasting picture. The private buses decided to continue their strike and KSRTC’s income soared to an all-time high of Rs 8.50 crore! The corporation not only saw its coffers filling up but also proved its worth during a crisis situation.
The rise in collection reflects in KSRTC’s income during this month. Till February 19, while KSRTC’s collection stood at Rs 111.20 crore, the Kerala Uurban Road Transport Corporation earned Rs 9.11 crore, bringing in a total income of Rs 120.32 crore.
Though the government had announced an increase in bus fares, including the minimum charge for ordinary services to Rs 8, the private bus operators went on strike demanding a minimum charge of Rs 10. Another demand was raising the concessional fares for students. However, with the government initiating strict action, the private bus owned fell in line and withdrew their strike on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, KSRTC is expecting a marked increase of at least Rs 23 lakh in its daily collection after the new fares come into effect.
KSRTC’s daily collection during February:
February 1 – Rs 5.60 crore
February 2 – Rs 5.81 crore
February 3 – Rs 6.08 crore
February 4 – Rs 5.58 crore
February 5 – Rs 6.64 crore
February 6 – Rs 6.06 crore
February 7 – Rs 5.90 crore
February 8 – Rs 5.77 crore
February 9 – Rs 6.12 crore
February 10 – Rs 6.27 crore
February 11 – Rs 5.75 crore
February 12 – Rs 6.61 crore
February 13 – Rs 5.29 crore
February 14 – Rs 6.56 crore
February 15 – Rs 5.94 crore
February 16 – Rs 7.22 crore
February 17 – Rs 7.85 crore
February 18 – Rs 6.69 crore
February 19 – Rs 8.50 crore.
Collection till February 19
KSRTC – Rs 111.20 crore
KURTC – Rs 9.11 crore
Total – Rs 120.32 crore.