Kochi: The rising mercury levels have resulted in a sharp decline in passengers using public transport, especially noon hours, and the operators resorting to trip cancellations, often violating the norms.
While private bus operators cite there is a fall of 25 to 30 per cent in daily collection, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), too, recorded a dip in revenue earnings.
"People are not venturing out during noon and that has affected the collections adversely," said T. Gopinath, state general secretary of the All Kerala Bus Operators Organisation. "We suffer a dip of 25 to 30 per cent in daily earning. However, operating expenses remain the same. In fact diesel price is rising, reaching Rs 72 a litre recently."
The KSRTC attempted to tide over the crisis by deploying more air-conditioned low-floor buses during the day but failed to woo commuters much. "March is a lean month even otherwise," said a senior KSRTC official. "Further, people do not travel much due to the ongoing heat wave. However, we expect more passengers during summer vacation, April and May. We'll deploy maximum low-floor buses then. We have started measures to roll out the buses in the dock, too."
Commuters have begun to feel the effect due to decrease in services, especially in city routes during noon and on holidays. "Earlier, we used to get buses at a frequency of 10 to 15 minutes during noon. Now we've to wait for half-an-hour to 45 minutes," said Sherley Thomas, who often travels from her workplace at Kaloor to Mulanthuruthy.
The private bus owners, though, deny the same as they could not afford such luxury as trip cancellations are not allowed.
The KSRTC management, though, has directed various units to effect 20 per cent holiday cancellations and cancel all trips having earnings per kilometer below Rs 15.
Meanwhile, officials of the motor vehicles department said action will be taken against trip cancellations. "The buses have to operate full services as per the permit conditions. We'll conduct surprise inspections to check such complaints," said K Manoj Kumar, RTO (enforcement).
