KOCHI: Despite the state government initiating measures to save it, the KSRTC has remained an elephant in the room. But now, it has a lifeline. Reachon Fastbuz, the point-to-point courier service jointly initiated by KSRTC and Trackon Couriers in 2015, as part of increasing its non-ticket revenue, has been scripting a success story.
According to KSRTC officers, the courier service fetches a fixed revenue of Rs 2 lakh every month to the public sector company. The department data revealed the KSRTC received Rs 24 lakh during the 2016-17 financial year. The Corporation also bagged Rs 8,82,331 as the turnover share from the private courier company as per the contract.
Trackon Couriers undertook the project on a revenue-sharing pattern for five years under a slab and turnover system. Now, the term has been extended for two more years. The project uses 3,700 KSRTC buses for the purpose and all the bus depots across the state have collection and delivery facility.
Within one-and-a half years of its inception, the service has also been expanded to Bengaluru and Coimbatore.
“ Since its launch, the courier service has received positive response from all quarters. On an average, we do business of Rs 20 lakh per month. We hope to increase this”, said Vishnu Prasad, manager (operations), Reachon Fastbuz.
According to Vishnu, issues like operational delays, dysfunctional GPS systems in buses have to tackled. “If KSRTC can rectify these issues, the business will go up. The Corporation can generate a permanent revenue from this service.”
Measures to hike non-ticket revenue
Built malls in prime location bus stands,
Auction scrap items
Sell agricultural commodities producing in its own land.