KSRTC’s Onam gift: AC seater-cum-sleeper buses in Bengaluru-TVM route

Bengaluru / Thiruvananathapuram: Kerala RTC has launched the brand-new AC seater cum sleeper buses as an Onam gift to Bengaluru-based Malayalis. The bus is likely to begin service by the end of this month. The seater cum sleeper buses will replace the old AC multi-axle buses that run in the Bengaluru–Thiruvananthapuram route. Meanwhile, the routes and the ticket fares of the new bus will be announced soon.

With the multi-axle buses that are more than 10 years old frequently breaking down and getting stranded on the road, causing regular service disruptions, the number of passengers has dropped significantly. Meanwhile, Karnataka RTC and private buses lured the passengers with their modern sleeper buses, denting Kerala RTC’s income.

The new buses are currently undergoing final touch-ups at a private body construction firm in Bengaluru. Ashok Leyland will hand over eight-seater cum sleeper buses to KSRTC. Besides, KSRTC will soon get 10 AC-seater buses and eight sleeper buses. Currently, AC seater cum sleeper Swift buses operate services to Thiruvananthapuram via Salem as well as a non AC seater cum sleeper bus via Mysuru.

Since there are only two buses, they will operate services on alternate days. Besides, KSRTC Swift also has Gajaraja multi-axle AC sleeper buses in its fleet. Two of them run services to Thiruvananthapuram via Nagercoil, and four services run to Ernakulam via Salem.

Karnataka RTC announces Onam special services
Karnataka RTC has begun booking for the Onam special services from Bengaluru. The booking for the extremely busy September 2 and 3 has already started. Passengers can also avail of a 15 per cent discount in the regular AC and non-AC premium buses. Meanwhile, Kerala RTC has announced 22 daily special services between August 29 and September 15 from Bengaluru. The booking for special services will begin as soon as the tickets for the regular services sell out.