Track KSRTC buses online from February 13

Kochi: Commuters can soon track and find the location of a running bus at any given point of time with the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) set to launch the Vehicle Tracking System on a trial basis in five cities.

“Initially the system operated by installing GPS in buses will be experimented in cities like Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Thrissur and Kozhikode. The official launch by the chief minister is now scheduled for February 13 at Kottayam,” Antony Chacko, Managing Director, told DC.

Big screens will be displayed at the depots informing the running status of Superclass buses, just like that of an airport.

The commuters can also avail the mobile alert facility. For instance, a resident of Kochi city who had booked a ticket will get an alert on his/ her mobile when the bus going to Palakkad from Thiruvananthapuram reaches Aroor. The passengers can leave for the bus station only after getting the alert.

“We have already installed GPS in over 200 long-distance Superclass buses. The system will provide location of buses, their speed, late running info and expected time of arrival among others. A secretary-level meet will be held on February 3 to finalise the launch date,” Chacko said.

Besides, installing of the Global Positioning System (GPS) in buses would help get real-time information on ticket sales, vehicle fuel management and monitor driving ways of drivers among others.

A central control room has been set up at the Thiruvananthapuram headquarters to monitor the buses.

Meanwhile, private bus owners too will be forced to install GPS and CCTV cameras in their buses by March under the ‘Vehicle Tracking Project’ conceived by the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD).

However, private bus owners are now demanding more time saying the installation of the devices within three months is not going to be possible.

Some of the bus owner associations even want the government to bear the cost of installation.