Kerala roadways gifted a new bus!
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 11
In a first-of-its-kind initiative, a cooperative society has stepped in to strengthen the cash-strapped Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, buying a bus with its public welfare fund and offering it to the state-run transport utility.
The Calicut City Service Cooperative Society has forked out Rs 40 lakh to purchase a new KSRTC bus, with the vehicle proposed to operate on the Kozhikode-Palakkad-Muthalamada-Parambikulam route.
Transport Minister C.P. John on Tuesday welcomed the initiative, describing it as a strong example of how public sector institutions could be supported through people's participation.
He said the move could become a model for similar interventions by cooperative institutions, local bodies, and elected representatives.
The minister said the government was actively considering a proposal to permit cooperative societies to use their public welfare funds to support the KSRTC.
A favourable decision on the matter is expected shortly.
The initiative comes at a time when KSRTC is seeking to expand and modernise its ageing fleet.
The government has set a target of putting 2,000 new buses on the roads, and the minister said such people-driven initiatives could help the corporation move towards that goal.
The proposal for the bus service was reportedly born out of the travel difficulties experienced by people in the Muthalamada region.
A local cancer institute's Chairman C.N. Vijayakrishnan, who had earlier contested from the Nenmara Assembly constituency, took up the initiative after witnessing the difficulties faced by passengers and government employees travelling to the area.
The proposed service is expected not only to ease the commuting problems of people in Muthalamada and neighbouring areas but also to improve connectivity to Parambikulam, one of Kerala's important tourism destinations.
John thanked the Calicut City Service Cooperative Society and Vijayakrishnan for the initiative, saying it demonstrated how a public-sector institution could be held close by society through collective participation.
He called upon other cooperative organisations, local self-government institutions and people's representatives to emulate the initiative, stressing that public support would remain the biggest strength in protecting the State's public transport system.
The move effectively puts a new idea on the table for KSRTC: instead of public transport being seen solely as a government responsibility, communities and institutions could also become stakeholders in keeping the network running.
— IANS
Reader Comments
While this is a noble gesture, I can't help but wonder - why should a cooperative society have to fund a basic public service like transport? The government's job is to provide these services. This sets a dangerous precedent where essential services become dependent on charity and goodwill. What happens when people stop donating? We need systemic reforms, not band-aid solutions. The minister should focus on making KSRTC financially viable instead of celebrating these one-off gestures.
This is heartwarming! Growing up in Kerala, KSRTC buses were a lifeline for so many families. Seeing a cooperative society step up like this shows that we still have that community spirit - the "nammude" (our) attitude that makes Kerala special. The Muthalamada route connecting to Parambikulam is a great choice too. Tourism and local commuters both benefit. Hope this inspires more such initiatives across the state! 🌴🚌
Nice initiative, but let's be honest - Rs 40 lakh for one bus when KSRTC needs 2,000 new buses? That's like emptying the ocean with a spoon. The real issue is the financial mismanagement and lack of political will to reform KSRTC. While I appreciate the sentiment, we need the government to take concrete steps - better route planning, fleet modernization, and honest accounting. Otherwise, this is just a feel-good story that doesn't solve the underlying crisis.
Finally some positive news from Kerala! 😊 It's refreshing to see citizens and institutions taking ownership rather than just blaming the government. The route selection is smart - connecting Muthalamada with Parambikulam will help both daily commuters and tourists. This could be a game-changer if more cooperatives, especially in the Gulf-returnee belts, join in. Proud of my fellow Malayalis for this initiative!
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