Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is introducing another ‘Jan Shatabdi service following the success of the first bus of this category, which competes with the trains running between Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam. In addition, KSRTC has announced a few more services - including an end-to-end trip - from Thiruvananthapuram.
KSRTC’s existing Jan Shatabdi service starts from Thiruvananthapuram at 5.10 am and reaches Ernakulam by 9.20 am on most days, even though the scheduled arrival time is 9.40 am. This service now runs till Kerala High Court in Ernakulam. The additional KSRTC Jan Shatabdi service has been announced as the initial bus has crossed the milestone of 100 days of operation.
New ‘KSRTC Jan Shatabdi’
The new Jan Shatabdi bus will leave the KSRTC bus stand at Thampanoor in Thiruvananthapuram at 5.10 pm to reach Nedumbassery airport by 10.40 pm. The service will have the following stops only: Ayathil in Kollam; Kommady in Alappuzha; Vyttila; Aluva and Athani.
During the return trip, the bus will start from Nedumbassery at 4.30 am and arrive in Thiruvananthapuram by 10 am.
There will be no conductor on the bus and tickets will be issued by the driver. Tickets could be booked online also. Air-conditioned low-floor buses with pushback seats have been allotted for the trips.
Wonderla service
Another service started by the public carrier is an ‘end-to-end’ service between Thiruvananthapuram and Wonderla amusement park in Kochi on holidays. Leaving the state capital at 5 am, the bus will arrive at Wonderla by 10.30 am. The return trip starts from Wonderla at 5.10 pm to reach Thiruvananthapuram by 10.40 pm.
Palakkad service
Departure from Thiruvananthapuram is 7.30 pm and scheduled arrival in Palakkad is 5 am the next day. The route is along Kottayam. From Palakkad, the bus will start at 1 pm to reach Thiruvananthapuram by 10.40 pm.
Thiruvananthapuram – Kannur
This service is scheduled to leave Thiruvananthapuram at 7 pm and, taking the Kottayam – Thrissur route, will reach Kannur by 7 am the next day. The return journey starts from Kannur at 5 pm and the arrival time in the state capital is 4 am the following day.
New service to Munnar
Another newly announced service connects Thiruvananthapuram and Munnar. It leaves Thiruvananthapuram at 10.15 pm and the scheduled arrival at the hill station is 7 am the next day. The route is Kollam – Alappuzha – Vyttila – Perumbavoor. For the return trip, the bus starts from Munnar at 7 pm to reach Thiruvananthapuram by 4.30 the following morning.
Triweekly Guruvayur service
Yet another new service is between Thiruvananthapuram - where the renowned Padmanabhaswamy Temple is located - to Guruvayur, the popular pilgrimage town known for its Sri Krishna Temple. The service would be operated on three days a week from Thiruvananthapuram – Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Starting from the capital city at 9.30 pm, the bus will reach Guruvayur by 5 am the next day. The return trip leaves Guruvayur at 2 pm and is scheduled to arrive in Thiruvananthapuram by 10.50 pm.
