Thiruvananthapuram: RTC to halt long distance FPs

Thiruvananthapuram: The KSRTC, which is facing huge debts, will terminate its long-distance fast passenger services and introduce short-distance ones from Sunday to reduce its operating costs.

At present, the fast passenger services cover five-six districts. The new ones will limit the running to two-three districts. The shorter services will be scheduled on busy routes, sources said.

There are nearly 20 long-distance fast passenger buses operating from Thiruvananthapuram central depot alone. These buses will be changed into chain services to Alappuzha and Kottayam.

In their place, superfast services will be operated to destinations, including Thrissur, through the  MC Road via Kottarakara and NH 66 via Kollam at an interval of 15 minutes on an experimental basis.

Fast passenger services to adjoining districts will be operated in a gap of five-ten minutes at peak time and 20 minutes at other times.

The decision will increase the travel woes of the commuters as the superclass services, including superfasts, will raise the expenses of travel though they may reduce the travel time.

Through the new arrangement, the KSRTC hopes to reduce the operating costs as frequent fast passenger services were unprofitable, sources said.