Kochi: In a first such circular of its kind, the management of the financially weak Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) asked all its staff to be part of the “massive exercise” to earn record revenue this August. However, it has fallen short of the target so far. “Among the initiatives, (checking) inspectors will cover almost all superclass services and do point duty at vital stops to ensure that the bus stops there,” the circular signed by the Chief Traffic Manager issued units across Kerala reads.
The directions ask unit chiefs to ensure that the buses won’t conduct convoy services and that not even a single bus is kept idle due to crew not reporting for duty. It also asked to restrict ‘leaves’ being permitted to staff and operate services strictly on the basis of demand. More superclass buses should be operated on those days witnessing maximum rush, says the direction which also asks the unit chiefs to get out of their office and stand near the bus ways to collect ‘Way Bills’.
The circular terms the initiative as the “biggest drive” in the history of the corporation. However, on ground the initiatives are yet to fructify in its true sense. Though there was an increase in collection, the average daily collection was nowhere near the Rs 7.08 crore daily collection recorded on August 31, 2015. "So far the maximum we could achieve in certain days is Rs 6.25 crore per day. We expect the figures to go up during the Onam season," an official said.
