KSRTC to acquire 200 used BMTC buses to address fleet shortage

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: To tackle the issue of shortage of buses, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is contemplating the acquisition of 200 used buses from the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC).

These vehicles will be deployed in cities such as Mysuru, Tumakuru and Davangere, enhancing public transportation services.

Facing hurdles in procuring new buses due to post-Covid-19 financial constraints, KSRTC is unable to phase out older buses as planned. Out of an 8,094-strong fleet, only around 130 buses have travelled less than 300,000 kilometres, while 1,812 buses have exceeded 1.3 million kilometres.

To mitigate expenses, KSRTC is refurbishing its existing fleet, having already introduced 580 refurbished buses on various routes. This approach is expected to save considerable costs compared to purchasing new buses.

V Anbukumbar, KSRTC's managing director, explained that refurbishing used buses and operating them for an additional 4-5 years would lead to substantial savings, as refurbishment costs around Rs 3-4 lakh per bus compared to over Rs 30 lakh for a new bus.

Anbukumbar added that only certified buses would be put into service, covering an average of 80,000-90,000 kilometres annually.

Since the initiation of the Shakti scheme, which provides free bus travel for women, the demand for city services offered by KSRTC has increased throughout the state.

BMTC is expected to provide KSRTC with 100 buses initially, with the sale price to be determined in a board meeting, ranging from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 4 lakh per bus.