Bus refurbishment project to bring gains to KSRTC: Kerala Minister
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 13
The bus refurbishment project being implemented as part of the State government's 100‑day programme will bring significant financial benefits to the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, Transport Minister C.P. John said on Thursday.
Speaking after flagging off 14 buses refurbished in the first phase of the project at the Thiruvananthapuram City Depot, the Minister said the amount required to purchase one new bus could instead be used to repair and put around 10 buses back into service.
The average cost of refurbishing a Deluxe‑category bus is around Rs 2.5 lakh. In contrast, buses in categories such as FP, SFP and similar services can be refurbished at an average cost of Rs 1.5 lakh.
The work involves not only improving the interior and exterior appearance of the buses but also inspecting and repairing their mechanical and electrical systems, seats, lighting, flooring and windows. Refurbishment work is currently being carried out at five KSRTC workshops.
The Minister praised the skilled mechanical staff, workers and unions whose efforts helped complete the first phase of the project quickly. He said KSRTC's objective was to ensure a safer and more comfortable travel experience for passengers, for which the quality of its buses had to be improved.
The refurbishment programme covers 26 Super Class buses, 52 Fast Passenger and Super Fast buses and 22 Ordinary buses. At present, BS‑III and BS‑IV buses that have completed their stipulated service life but remain technically fit for reuse are being refurbished.
The engines of the buses are being specially examined, and only those requiring reconditioning are subjected to the process. According to test results, refurbished buses have recorded a reduction of 80 to 85 per cent in pollution levels.
The Minister said periodic refurbishment could considerably extend the operational life of buses. The project would enable KSRTC to retain technically sound older buses in service for longer periods while making more efficient use of its existing fleet alongside the purchase of new buses.
Minister John also announced Project Surya and distributed certificates to the mechanical department employees who carried out the refurbishment work.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Very practical approach by the Minister. KSRTC is always short on funds, so this is smart financial management. But I'm wondering - are these refurbished buses going to be equally comfortable as new ones? The AC and suspension are the first things to fail in Kerala's heat and roads. Let's see how the passengers feel after a few months of service!
"80-85% reduction in pollution levels" - that's impressive! But isn't BS-III and BS-IV supposed to be phased out? If they're technically fit, it's better to refurbish than scrap. At least KSRTC is doing something productive instead of just parking old buses and letting them rust. The 100-day programme seems to be delivering results. 👍
I appreciate the cost-effectiveness, but let's not compromise passenger safety. ₹1.5-2.5 lakh per bus seems too low for a proper mechanical overhaul - engines, electricals, seats, flooring? That's like a patch-up job. We need transparent reports on what exactly gets replaced and inspected. Also, 14 buses in first phase out of 100 total? The pace needs to pick up!
Interesting sustainability initiative! In the US, most transit agencies would just buy new buses. This refurbishment model is actually quite forward-thinking - reducing waste, cutting costs, and lowering emissions. I hope KSRTC publishes data on how many more passengers are using these refurbished buses. That would prove whether the investment is truly worth it.
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