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| Image Source - Mathrubhumi and Hindu |
There seems no end to the misery of state run transport corp. The problems range from salary payment issues to low cash collection. Now, another looming problem is the need to scrap 1622 buses ๐.
While the news appears like a insurmountable thing, here's a way to think differently. How?
Here's how I see this with this new game plan! A plan which gives KSRTC a fresh new start, leaving out the legacy system of running a transport corporation!
Plan 1 ( How to scrap old vehicles)
1. Sell these buses by e-auction to private individuals, under the condition that each bus should be remodeled as camper/"schoolie” motorhome.
2. Remodel the buses as loo/or shower rooms at tourist spots, etc.
3. Another plan is to convert the bus into accommodation for unique airbnb home stay atop of a hill or by a beach view location or by a the backwaters.๐ก.
4. Keep few of these remodeled bus in Govt land, where it can be used by restroom cum office for different departments. ( Corporation cleaning staff) or Police outpost in areas where there are likely to be issues, shelter for tourists or a restroom for tourists near Kovalam, or restroom by the highway and as a food truck ( slice it and reduce the side)
5. Bus can be remodeled as a food truck
How to do it!
Scrub the old coat and give it a fresh coat of painting. Remove the seats and fit it with a bed, kitchen,sink and bathroom.
Once it's refitted, it can become can make this a unique stay at remote places. ( Place it in green spots like rubber plantation in Kottayam, side of backwater in Allepey, hilly tracks in Munnar, or place it on a spot to watch the rolling waves)
But, selling these will be a problem for KSRTC as it will reduce the number of buses services. That's one reason the plan to scrap has been shelved for now. But, it's still a problem which has to be addressed by this management.
********** What Else********
New Kerala Story. It could be an opportunity for Kerala tell a new story with this!
Imagine if these 1622 buses are converted as homes for the homeless in Kerala. Don't you think it would be a good propaganda piece for Kerala!
Generosity of a Keralite - Another Story of Kindness an d Giving
There was another news about a whooping 11 cr donation given supposedly donated by an anonymous Kerala NRI for the operation of child requiring a critical drug.
What if govt solicit funds from public( celebrities, Sports or NGO) to take up the funding to remodel each bus as camper or to giveaway these remodeled bus to the homeless!
Or even better, then can take a big decision to scrap even the running buses like Venad, or MARCOPOLO bus which appears to a fuel gusher and replace it with similar size electric bus. But, where's the money to do all these adventures?
Here KSRTC should take a DRASTIC Revamping Plan which will at least require some 300 crores initially!
So, here's the plan:
1. First, get a good consultant to do a study on how much a big makeover of bus will cost. It will be about scraping many long-distance petrol/discel bus to electric.
2. After the estimate is done, another study should be made to do large-scare installation of solar pannel on the roof of KSRTC building to installing it on their vacant land. This should involve utilizing large parcels of their land to build big solar harvesting land. The objective would be make excess power, which they can even sell it to the grid.
3. Now, the estimate is done. Here comes the most important thing, which is capital for the entire project. Here KSRTC has to collectively brainstorm and come come with different ways to raise capital.
Here're few of my capital raising plan
1. KSRTC after accessing the total capital outlay should appeal to the public of Kerala and their employees on a mega fund raising project.
Request for donations should start from each and every bus stand, bus depot and other public places. All the funds should be collected online, with complete transparency of how each day's fund collection is progressing. An online portal should be set up to show how each day's collection is growing.
Furthermore, people who donate should be given benefits like tax exemption or good returns after its maturity. ( It's difficult for public to believe KSRTC's repayment capacity) However, this must be a super plan which will make KSRTC a big unprecedented makeover. So, the campaign should be top-class with the only intention of raising funds.
2. Submit the proposal before big banks or even an external bank to fund the big investment. ( This might not work as banks knows KSRTC's repayment capability)
3. Make a big list of high-net-worth individuals like Adani, Lulu's chief, or Muthoot group, or Bhimas or Infosys, or Microsoft or Google to support their new venture. And, ask prominent people of this state such as Royal Family members to other business men, scholars, students and even housewifes to join in the fund raising venture.
4. Issue a mega lottery by state govt just for this case. A super lottery which should be even sold across the border using online channels. Here, KSRTC should appeal even to the retired employees and their families.
5. Issue Govt backed bonds which will be repaid in few years. For for 1000cr plan to change 70& of conventional buses to electric ones. I see that only this kind of mega change can change the way profitability of the transport corporation. What say?
KSRTC and Electric Bus Makeover
One thing which appears to be a light at end of the tunnel is the induction of electric buses by KSRTC. The mini buses why ply around Trivandrum city and small roads is seen generally as a good move. One things is that it costs less to run and no requirement of fuel, it's saving KSRTC fuel cost.
One more things, KSRTC can implement ( again with massive capital investment) is to trasform each bus depot into an electric harvesting place. If you look at the various depot owned by KSRTC and the space around it, it could be a space for installing solar panels. The buidling room and the space around could be used for solar power generation.
Imagine, if each depot get such a facility and produces more than surplus power or this corporation?
Also, in each depot there will be electric charging point for private vehicles.
100% Electrification, Making Each KSRTC Depot a Shopping Centre!
I guess partial change is not going to give any advantage to KSRTC. This must be a massive campaign to give KSRTC a new beginning. I feel partial makeover plan is not going to work. It must be a sea change!
What all should change in KSRTC
1. Porthole free bus depots
2. Neat loos inside KSRTC ( Similar to SMC or at Lulu Mall)
3. Rest rooms for drivers and conductors ( with AC)
4. GPS on all buses
5. Clean drinking water booth ( Bottled ater supplied by Govt Run Hilly Acqua )
6. Quick system to issue concession to students
7. Create a simple process or system which makes it easy to send luggage by KSRTC buses
8. Give incentive to conductors and drivers
9. Medical coverage of over 15 lakhs for drivers and family.
10. Utilize KSRTC land to set up solar power
11. Demolish old KSRTC building and plan new ones ( Kaniyapuram to be demolished asap)
12. Create a system to track all buses in real time
13. Efficient bus enquiry system. Automated chat to manual support
14. Clean stay facility in all major bus depots for passengers ( Similar to one run by Police at Chandrashekhar Nair stadium in Trivandrum)
15. Police help booth in all major bus depot
16. Free Wifi
17. Veg and Non Veg hotels and Cafes in bus stands
18. Scholarship facility for KSRTC's employees children
19. Agro Industries outlet in major bus depot
20. Warehouses to keep and store goods and parcels
21. CCTV coverage on all depot ( High quality camera)
22. Salon, spa or leg spa in major bus stands
23. Tender coconut water booths
24. Booth to sell local produce from the area ( Organic produce)
25. A shop for kudambashree people
26. ATM facility
27. AC waiting room facility in all bus stands
28. Women's waiting room
29. Provide information about Private buses too
30. Information about train services from Thampanoor etc. People can decide which option is best
31. Train booking facility at Thampanoor, Ernakulam, Kollam etc
31. Counter for lost and find goods
32. Proper website - well maintained one
33. Clear information in English, Malayalam and help booth with people who can speak Hindi
34. Lady conductors rest room and retiring room (A/C)
35. Clear sign boards to locate different facility
36. Modern sign boards for displaying bus timing and departure information
37. Proper bus shelter on all stops
39. Advertisement option available for display ads on KSRTC bus stands
40. Bakery unit in Tvm, EKM, Calicut which makes fresh bread ( Similar to the bakery unit at Cantonment station in B'lore) Fresh smell of breads from the bakery unit by 3:PM! Just think of it!
41. Shops which sell straw mat, and other locally made items
42. Forex exchange counter in major stops
43. KTDC Beer parlour in Tvm and Kochi ( In main depots)
44. Peni ice cream outlet or Pizza or KFC
45. Meditation room ( Silent room in every major stop)
46. Gaming booth ( for new gen folks)
47. Plant nursery store
5. Keep stalls inside KSRTC as per a standard display method. Don't allow stalls to keep things like display board or products beyond their stall. This is happening at Thampanoor depot. Despite the big makeover, the interiors has lost the charm with the shop owners extending their shop outside their allotted space. ( Similar to TRIDA Buildings)
Now, it's slowly becoming like a hawkers market. The problem is that no one is charge and most shop keepers have influence and clout to flaunt the rules. So, who can question them?
If you go inside any of the TRIDA building, the scenario is similar. From TRIDA building in Medical College,or Kd'puram or Saphalyam complex at Palayam, all has the tell-take marks of govt ownership. The interiors are shabby, shop keepers keep things beyond their shop, things are unorganized, stinking loo, and the understaffed security. It's a shame that such a space has lost its charm.
Btw, I had written this post somewhere in 2023 and I kept it in a notepad. Now, that I started this blog, I posted here. I've to verify if the plan to scrap KSRTC bus is still on or it's kept on hold.
Other posts related to KSRTC Service Development:
1. Malappuram KSRTC Dept Makeover
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