Karnataka: KSRTC to roll out non-AC seater-cum-sleeper buses

KSRTC's Pallakki non-AC sleeper bus. Picture courtesy: X.com/@Deepak159006

Buoyed by the heavy demand from passengers on inter-city routes, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will soon induct non-AC seater-cum-sleeper buses.

KSRTC on June 14 floated a tender to purchase 30 seater-cum-sleeper coaches as well as 70 non-AC sleeper coaches.

This is the first time KSRTC is inducting non-AC seater-cum-sleeper buses. The branding on the bus is likely to be similar to that of 'Pallakki' buses, which are non-AC sleeper buses.

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Officials said they will induct these buses within six months. According to the tender conditions, a trial run of 5 out of the 30 seater-cum-sleeper coaches and 10 out of the 70 non-AC sleeper coaches will be conducted for a month.

"As per practice and government directions, the trial run of new buses is required. The performance of buses will be evaluated by a technical committee of CMEs and OEM/bidder representatives within a month. Clearance for delivery of the remaining coaches will be given after satisfactory performance. If not satisfactory, KSRTC can cancel the remaining order without compensation," it said.

KSRTC operates inter-state buses to Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, and Puducherry. KSRTC operates on an average of 27.64 lakh km daily with a fleet size of 8,113 vehicles and earns traffic revenue of Rs 13.5 crore daily by catering to 32.7 lakh passengers on average.

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