Malayinkeezh/ Thiruvananthapuram: When the KSRTC fast passenger bus operating between the Kattakkada depot and Moozhiyar in Pathanamthitta halts at Malayinkeezh on Tuesday, it will not only pick up passengers from the point but also receive a felicitation from the Malayinkeezh Panchayat.

This service has been in continuous operation for over 60 years. It was first launched from the Thiruvananthapuram depot and later extended to Kattakkada in 1992. The service was originally started to transport labourers for the construction of the Moozhiyar dam. Over the decades, however, it evolved into a lifeline for daily commuters, including government employees, workers, and students.

Since its inception, this has been the first bus to pass through Malayinkeezh every morning. For many, the bus is not just a mode of transport but a cherished memory of daily journeys spanning years.

Currently, the bus departs from Kattakkada at 4.30 am and reaches Moozhiyar by noon. The return journey begins at 2.45 pm from Moozhiyar, heading back toward the state capital.

A reception will be accorded to the bus at 5 am on Tuesday. Apart from serving commuters, the service also provides convenient transportation for those wishing to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Moozhiyar dam and its surroundings.

The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) was founded by the Kerala government in 1965, following the enactment of the Road Transport Corporation Act in 1950.