Kochi: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has redeployed the state’s first CNG bus, originally operated as Vytilla circular service, to longer routes such as Aluva-Panangad after recording poor commuter patronage in the last two weeks.
However, the bus, which can run 150 kms upon single refilling, will be operated only till noon.
“The first trip will be to Panangad near Aroor through the NH bypass and the service will start from Aluva at 6 am. From Panangad the bus will return to Aluva via Ernakulam Town at 7.30 am. Ten two more services will be conducted to the Vytilla hub and back before calling it a day,” a senior officer said, adding that only ‘ordinary’ rate will be charged from commuters as ticket fare.
When asked why the bus service is limited till noon, the officer said the full day operation will require another round of CNG refilling.
“The 48-seat bus has a capacity to store 200 kilo CNG. By filling one time (75 kg), the bus can cover only 150 kms through the city route,” he said.
However, what has prompted the corporation to limit the service is the new single duty system to be introduced from next week. “Upon operating a full day, four persons (two drivers and two conductors) will have to be deployed and amount to additional expense. The bus is yet to rake in targeted daily collection,” sources said.
The bus running on Compressed Natural Gas was deployed in Vytilla circular route on March 22. However, it could rake in only an average '1500 daily collection as against the expected revenue of '8000, forcing the authorities to redeploy in demand routes.
Meanwhile, commuters complained that boarding and alighting during peak hours is difficult with the bus having only a single exit, that too in the front.
