THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After weeks of uncertainty, the KSRTC is planning to deploy two premium Volvo 9600 B8R model buses, purchased for Rs 2 crore during the tenure of former transport minister K B Ganesh Kumar, on select long-distance routes.
According to officials, one vehicle is expected to operate as an interstate service to Bengaluru, while the other will run on the high-demand Ernakulam-Thiruvananthapuram intercity corridor. However, the transport minister is reportedly not in favour of operating them under the high-end “business class” branding, suggesting instead that they be reclassified and run as “executive class” services.
Despite the move to operationalise the vehicles, KSRTC officials remain skeptical about commercial viability. “On interstate routes, a seater bus will have to directly compete with sleeper buses. Despite the premium features, attracting sustained patronage remains doubtful,” a senior official noted.
Procured toward the end of the previous ministry’s tenure, the buses boast top-tier passenger amenities, including 32 seats equipped with individual entertainment screens and food trays, an on board toilet, and a mini-pantry. However, following a change in government, the flagship buses remained grounded at the Pappanamcode Central Workshop in Thiruvananthapuram.