Kerala RTC deploys leased buses amid Vande Bharat delays

The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has introduced leased luxury air-conditioned buses to manage the heavy passenger demand during the Onam festival. This initiative follows significant disruptions to premium rail services, specifically the Bengaluru-Ernakulam Vande Bharat Express, which has faced major delays for several consecutive days.

To address the shortage in the state fleet, KSRTC is utilizing a wet-lease model to hire 63 air-conditioned buses for a six-month period. These vehicles, which must be less than five years old, will be operated by private providers who supply drivers and maintenance, while KSRTC deploys its own conductors. The first batch of buses, secured from the Thrissur-based consortium Voyilo Trading, is scheduled to reach Bengaluru from Kozhikode and Ernakulam.

While the additional bus services aim to provide relief to commuters traveling between Kerala and Bengaluru, railway authorities stated that the operational issues causing the Vande Bharat delays have been addressed and service is expected to normalize shortly.