Kochi: Bus schedules getting delayed or cancelled due to non-availability of crew used to be common in many depots of Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC). Not anymore.
The biometric punching system being implemented in the corporation from November 11 would make it mandatory for drivers and conductors to register their attendance at least half an hour before the schedule.
“We will formally sign an agreement with Keltron on November 7 in this regard. Before that, a five-day testing will be done in select units. A team of Keltron officials is collecting details of the staff at various units. The staff would soon be allotted Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) cards with photo,” said R Sudhakaran, General Manager.
The punching system requires the bus crew to be present half an hour before the schedule. A maximum grace period of 15 minutes would be allotted to them and thereafter penal action including pay cut would be initiated. They could also log out only half an hour after the trip completion.
“The driver has to check the vehicle and the conductor make the ticket rackets ready before the trip. Similarly, the driver has to fill diesel and the conductor settle collection after completion of the service,” the officer said.
The machines have already been delivered to all the units and workshops of the corporation across the state.
