THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Anticipating increased demand for travel during the vacation season, KSRTC’s Budget Tourism Cell (BTC) is set to roll out air-conditioned services, offering passengers greater comfort during the peak summer months.
In the initial phase, 10 buses will be introduced. To optimise usage and better meet demand, these buses will be shared across multiple depots instead of being assigned to a single location.
“We are receiving a large number of enquiries from people planning vacation trips, and one of the most common questions is whether the buses are air-conditioned,” an official said, noting that journeys can be uncomfortable in hot and humid conditions.
The move to procure AC buses comes as BTC plans to expand its inter-state tour services to Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Goa.
KSRTC has recently renewed its agreement with Tamil Nadu, securing approval for 21 routes and up to 150 trips per month.
These routes will cover popular destinations such as Kodaikanal, Nagore, Rameswaram, Palani, Meghamalai, Tiruchendur, Madurai, Ootty, Pillayarpatti, and Mandaikadu temple.
“We are focusing heavily on pilgrim and resort tourism segments. We will be rolling out more summer tour packages in the coming days,” the official added.
Currently, BTC operates super deluxe non-AC buses for its tour packages, but the lack of air conditioning has been a concern, especially for two- and three-day trips.
The proposed Goa trip is a three-night, two-day package. To address demand on certain inter-state routes, BTC has also been hiring private buses on lease.
Safety is also a key consideration, particularly after some BTC buses were involved in accidents in hilly regions.
KSRTC has decided that only drivers familiar with both the vehicle and the terrain will be assigned to these tours. The new AC buses, even when shared between depots, will have designated drivers to ensure consistency and safety.
Budget tourism has emerged as one of KSRTC’s success stories, with more than 12 lakh people availing the service over the past four years.
In 2025, BTC doubled its revenue to `42 crore from the year earlier.