Kerala State Road Transport Corporation

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Template:Anchor Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC)[1][2] is a state-owned road transport corporation in the Indian state of Kerala. It is one of the country's oldest state-run public bus transport services.[3] The corporation is divided into three zones (South, Central and North), and its headquarters is in the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. Daily scheduled service has increased from Template:Convert to Template:Convert,[4] using 5400 buses on 4500 routes.[5] The corporation transports an average of 3.545 million commuters per day.

The Kerala Urban Road Transport Corporation (KURTC) was formed under KSRTC in 2015 to manage affairs related to urban transportation.Template:Sfn It was inaugurated on 12 April 2015 at Thevara.Template:Sfn On 9 November 2021, a legally independent company called KSRTC SWIFT was formed to operate the long-distance buses of the Kerala Road Transport Corporation for a period of 10 years with an aim overcome the financial crisis faced by the corporation.[6]

In June 2021, Kerala SRTC was awarded the acronym KSRTC by the Controller General of Patents Designs and Trade Marks, which is part of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India when Kerala filed a case against Karnataka SRTC in response to a legal notice by the Karnataka SRTC to stop using the acronym KSRTC.[7][8]

Small bus on a narrow road
KSRTC Bus at Vagamon

History

Travancore State Transport Department

The corporation's history dates back to years before the formation of Kerala state, which makes it one of the oldest state-operated public road transport services in India. The Travancore government, headed by King Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, decided to establish the Travancore State Transport Department (TSTD) the predecessor of KSRTC, to improve the existing public-transport system.[9][10][11]

Initially, the department imported 60 Commer PNF3 chassis from England. Under the supervision of E.G Salter, the then Assistant Operating Superintendent of London Passenger Transport Board, the imported chassis were fitted with Perkins Lynx diesel engines. The bus bodies were built by department staff, and Travancore Dewan C. P. Ramaswami Iyer insisted on using local wood. The body shop (supervised by Salter) was originally in Chakai, and was later moved to Pappanamcode. Salter's experimental body design became standard on the rest of the buses.[12][13]

Most of the private operators on the Thiruvananthapuram-Kanyakumari route had to close when the roads were nationalized, and many experienced drivers, conductors, and inspectors lost their jobs. TSTD recruited them, and Salter selected 60 people out of 81 applicants. Nearly one hundred applicants with bachelor's degrees were employed as inspectors and conductors.[14]

The state road-transport service was inaugurated on 20 February 1938 by Maharaja Sree Chithira Thirunal, who (with his family, Col. Goda Varma Raja, and other dignitaries) rode the first bus on the Main Road to Kowdiar Square; Salter drove the bus. A fleet of 33 buses and a large crowd joined in the celebration. On 21 February 1938, the first bus operated from Thiruvananthapuram to Kanyakumari.[15][16]

The early buses had 23 leather seats. Entry was through the rear, and the buses had a centre aisle. Ten first-class seats were in the front. Schedules, fares and stops were published, and a parcel service began in which goods could be delivered by designated agents. Conductors wore khaki with a white topi, and inspectors wore khaki. Conductors had machines to issue tickets. Later buses were manufactured by Dodge, Fargo, Bedford, and Chevrolet.[12]

The TSTD operated on three routes: Thiruvananthapuram-Nagercoil, Nagercoil-Kanyakumari, and Nagercoil-Colachal. Regular service began on 21 February 1938 with 39 buses. The minimum fare for one mile was one-half chakram The next fare was one chakram, and first-class tickets were 50 percent more. Children under age three travelled free, and those between three and 14 paid half the fare. Luggage under Template:Convert was free; Template:Convert was four chakrams, and Template:Convert was six chakrams.[12][14]

The Motor Vehicle Act was passed in 1939. Bus service was extended to Kochi in 1949, and to the Malabar region in 1956.[12][17]

Template:AnchorKerala State Road Transport Corporation

Line of old buses
Thrissur KSRTC bus station during the 1950s

The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) was established by the Kerala government on 15 March 1965 after the Road Transport Corporation Act, which came into force in 1950. The Transport Department became an autonomous corporation on 1 April 1965. [14]

At the time, there were 661 bus routes and 36 lorry routes. The corporation's fleet consisted of 901 buses, 51 lorries, and 29 other vehicles; thirty buses and eight lorries were new. Ten old buses, seven lorries, and one tractor-trailer were converted to other uses.[14] The KLX registration series was reserved for the KSRTC. On 1 July 1989, KSRTC buses began registration at a dedicated RTO in Thiruvananthapuram with the KL-15 registration series.[18]

In 2001 K. B. Ganesh Kumar became transport minister, and his brief tenure brought beneficial changes to the corporation. KSRTC was the first state-run transport corporation to introduce Volvo buses into its fleet. Body work was outsourced, and the buses' contemporary design was publicized as high-tech. Kumar commissioned Sabu Cyril to redesign the bus livery. Low-entry, air suspension buses were introduced in Thiruvananthapuram, and minibus service began. The changes attracted passengers, making the corporation profitable.[19]

The Kerala government issued a notification in 2012 suspending new permits for inter-district buses, exempting the KSRTC. Although it was assumed that the corporation would assume those routes, it created a shortage of service from Kochi to several northern districts. CPPR research and projects director Madhu Sivaraman conducted a study of KSRTC-private bus options.[20]

The Kerala Urban Road Transport Corporation (KURTC) was formed under KSRTC in 2015 to manage affairs related to urban transportation.Template:Sfn It was inaugurated on 12 April 2015 at Thevara.Template:Sfn

On 2 June 2021, the rights to use the acronym KSRTC, logo and the name 'AanaVandi' were fully given to Kerala State Road Transport Corporation according to the trademarks act 1999, after a seven-year battle with the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, who issued a notice in 2014, stating that Kerala should stop using KSRTC.[21] After the long drawn-out battle over intellectual property rights, the Kerala Road Transport Corporation has got the legal right to its trademarks acronym 'KSRTC' associated with the state-run transport corporation. Trade Marks registry certified that the emblem, the abbreviation KSRTC, logo and the name Aanavandi[17] shall belong to Kerala Road Transport corporation. Kerala's claim was approved on 3 June 2021 by the Controller General of Patents Design and Trade Marks under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The registration made Kerala RTC the lone custodian of the trademarks.

On 21 June 2021, KSRTC launched its first LNG bus service from Thiruvananthapuram to Kochi for regular passengers. The first commercial LNG bus service had been launched exclusively for Petronet employees in Kochi earlier.[22]

On 9 November 2021, KSRTC-SWIFT was formed as an independent company to operate the long-distance buses of KSRTC efficiently for a period of 10 years.[23]

Organizational Structure

The management of the KSRTC is overseen by a Board of Directors, which includes the Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) and other directors appointed by the Government of Kerala. The CMD, serving as the organization's Chief Executive, is responsible for managing day-to-day operations.

Board of Directors

Board of Directors – KSRTC [24]
Name Designation
K.B. Ganesh Kumar Minister for Transport, Government of Kerala
P.B. Nooh, IAS Secretary to Government, Transport Department
P.S. Pramoj Sanker, IOFS Chairman & Managing Director
Ch. Nagaraju, IPS Director

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Nelson J Director

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K.S. Vijayasree Director

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Dr. Samson Mathew Director

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N. Jeevan Director

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Fleet

Electric bus

The corporation has a fleet of 4,717 buses consisting of buses from Volvo, Scania, Ashok Leyland, Tata Motors, Eicher Motors, BharatBenz and others.[25] The vehicles owned by KSRTC are registered under a dedicated RTO at Thiruvananthapuram with a registration series KL-15.

Template:AnchorFleet numbering system

Although KSRTC has a dedicated RTO (Regional Transport Officer) to register its fleet, all its buses have bonnet numbers (for internal identification) adjacent to the depot mark at the front of the vehicle.[26][27][28] RPE981, a typical fleet number, can be split into three parts: RP, E and 981. RP indicates the vehicle series, derived from the word transport; each series contains 1,000 vehicles. During the 1960s, KSRTC began assigning the serial number T to its buses; R followed the first 1,000 buses, followed by A and so on until the P series. Repetitive letters and the letter O were exempted. Later, two-letter combinations were used to identify bus series. The 1,000th bus in each series is numbered with a multiple of 1,000, indicating the total number of buses introduced by the corporation.[26][29]

T 1962 - 1966
R 1966 - 1971
A 1973 - 1978
N 1979 - 1983
S 1983 - 1986
P 1986 - 1989
TR 1989 – 1993
TA 1993 – 1995
TN 1995 – 1997
TS 1997 – 2000
TP 2000 – 2004
RT 2004 – 2006
RR 2006 – 2008
RA 2008 – 2010
RN 2010 – 2012
RS 2012 – 2015
RP 2015 - 2016
AT 2016 -

The second part (E in the example) denotes the KSRTC workshop where the body work was done, and is absent on buses purchased fully built and outsourced bodywork. KSRTC owns five workshops: one central and four regional:[29]

Code Workshop
C Central Workshop, Pappanamcode, Thiruvananthapuram
M Regional Workshop, Mavelikkara
A Regional Workshop, Aluva
E Regional Workshop, Edappal
K Regional Workshop, Kozhikode

The third part is the vehicle number of the series. In addition to this system, a TE was assigned to 144 buses built in Edappal from 1997 to 2003. Their depot vehicles are numbered in a D series, and the oil tankers are numbered in a TT series. The corporation has several ambulances, numbered AV. Buses procured as part of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission are numbered JN. KSRTC Swift's buses are numbered in a KS series.[29]

2025 Fleet Modernisation

KSRTC inducted 143 new buses in 2025 as part of a major fleet modernisation. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan flagged off the vehicles at a function in Anayara on 21 August 2025.[30] These buses were divided into seven categories:

  • Ordinary
  • Link Bus
  • Fast Passenger
  • Super fast Premium
  • AC Seater cum Sleeper
  • AC Sleeper
  • AC Seater

Details of New Buses

Bus Type Vehicle Manufacturer Length Seating/Berth Capacity Engine Suspension Body Builder
Ordinary Eicher 8.235 m 28 + 1 + 1 (2x2 layout) 4 Cylinder Front Diesel Engine, 120 HP Semi Elliptical Audi Automobiles, Pithampur (Dhar)
Link Bus Ashok Leyland 10.5 m 38 + 1 (2x2 layout) 4 Cylinder Front Diesel Engine, 147 HP Front & Rear Parabolic SM Kannappa Automobiles Pvt Ltd, Bangalore (PRAKASH)
Fast Passenger TATA 11.250 m 49 + D (3x2 layout) 6 Cylinder Front Diesel Engine, 180 HP Front & Rear Leaf Spring Automobile Corporation of Goa Ltd. (ACGL)
Premium Superfast TATA 11.250 m 49 + D (3x2 layout) 6 Cylinder Front Diesel Engine, 180 HP Front Weveller and Rear Air Suspension Automobile Corporation of Goa Ltd. (ACGL)
AC Seater–Cum–Sleeper Ashok Leyland 13.5 m 18 Berth, 36 Seat (2x1 layout) 4 Cylinder Front Diesel Engine, 250 HP Front & Rear Air Suspension SM Kannappa Automobiles Pvt Ltd, Bangalore (PRAKASH)
AC Sleeper Ashok Leyland 13.5 m 36 berth (2x1 layout) 4 Cylinder Front Diesel Engine, 250 HP Front & Rear Air Suspension SM Kannappa Automobiles Pvt Ltd, Bangalore (PRAKASH)
AC Seater VE Commercial Vehicles 15 m 51 + 1+1 (2X2 layout), Reclining seat with calf support 6 Cylinder Rear Diesel Engine, 360 HP Front and Rear Air Suspension with electronic control Volvo Buses India, Bangalore

Services

Long Distance Services

Gajaraj

Introduced in 2022, Gajaraj is KSRTC Swift's flagship service and is operated using eight Volvo 9400 B11R 15M AC sleeper buses. These buses are operated on routes between Kerala and Bengaluru.[31][32]

front of a modern bus
Garuda Maharaja service, operated with Scania Metrolink HD buses

Garuda Maharaja

Introduced in 2016, the Garuda Maharaja service uses Scania Metrolink HD Template:Convert coaches. The buses have reclining seats with footrests and calf support, and radio and television in the front and centre. Water bottles and blankets are optional. Garuda Maharaja service is available on long-distance interstate routes, and most run on the Thiruvananthapuram–Bangalore route.[33][34][35]

Garuda King Class

Premium service, introduced in 2014, on air-conditioned Euro III Volvo 9400 XL B9R multi-axle buses with amenities similar to Garuda Maharaja.[36]

Garuda A/C Seater

Introduced in 2022, these are premium air-conditioned interstate services operated by KSRTC Swift. BS6 Ashok Leyland semi-sleeper buses with bodies built by Prakash are used for this service.[37]

Minnal

Long-distance, limited-stop deluxe night buses which use bypass roads to avoid traffic and save time. The maximum number of stops for Minnal service (minnal means "lightning" in Malayalam) is eight. The 41-seat, red-and-white buses (with lightning bolts) have 2+2 reclining seats and rear-axle air suspension.[38] The service was introduced in June 2017, under managing director M. G. Rajamanikyam. Its color scheme was chosen to enhance nighttime visibility.[39] The buses are built in-house on Ashok Leyland 160 hp Viking 222’’ (ALPSV 4/186) BS III and Tata LPO 1512c EX/58 BS III air suspension chassis.[40][41]

Super Deluxe Air Bus

The non-air conditioned, white buses with streaks of tri-color on the sides can charge mobile phones and laptops, and have rear-axle air suspension. They are built on Ashok Leyland and Tata chassis. All passengers are guaranteed a seat.[42][43] The KSRTC's oldest deluxe service operates between Kannur and Thiruvananthapuram. Started in 1967, it was part of the 1969 film Kannur Deluxe (the service's nickname). Large parts of the film were shot inside a bus.[44][45][46][47]

Newer Deluxe buses, called Swift Deluxe Air Bus, are operated by KSRTC Swift and feature an orange livery.[48]

Sabari Air Bus

Introduced in 2016 as a service for Sabarimala pilgrims. The buses have a forest-themed livery to increase awareness of the environmentally-sensitive Periyar National Park. The buses (with facilities and fares similar to deluxe buses) also run throughout Kerala and interstate, and are built on Ashok Leyland BS III Viking 160 hp (ALPSV 4/186) and Tata LPO 1512c EX/58 BS III air-suspension chassis.[49][50]

Super Express Air Bus

Green-and-yellow buses, with paint inspired by Chundan Vallam, have deluxe features at a lower fare. Super Express buses have more stops than deluxe buses, and standees are permitted.[51] The fleet includes buses built in-house on Ashok Leyland 160 hp Viking 222 BS III (ALPSV 4/186) and Tata LPO 1512c EX/58 BS III air-suspension chassis.

A/C Premium Super Fast

New Volvo 9600 seater bus of KSRTC

Introduced in 2024, this service is operated using 40 seat Tata Marcopolo A/C buses.[52]

Super Fast Passenger (SFP)

Red-and-yellow bus
SFP bus, built by the Edappal Regional Workshop, running towards Kozhikode

Non-air-conditioned buses with a 3+2 seat configuration which operate on long, intercity routes. Super Fast buses, with fewer stops than Fast Passenger buses but more than Super Express, are built on Ashok Leyland, Tata and Eicher chassis.[51] The service began in early 1992 as an improvement of the Fast Passenger service.

Limited Stop Super Fast services are services which do not enter all depots along their routes, unlike regular Super Fast services. These services were modeled after the successful Bypass Rider services, designed to offer faster travel by limiting number of stops.[53]

In April 2025, a Super Fast bus, KS376, was retrofitted with an air-conditioning system on an experimental basis.[54]

Fast Passenger

Red-and-yellow bus
Fast Passenger bus

Non-air-conditioned, 3+2 service on intercity routes. FP routes have fewer stops than ordinary service. The buses are built on Tata, Ashok Leyland and Eicher chassis.

Limited Stop Fast Passenger (LSFP) services are Fast Passenger services which stop only at Super Fast stops.

Short Distance Services

Rajadhani Point-to-Point

Yellow bus
Rajadhani bus

Nonstop FP service in Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad Kozhikode and Wayanad districts.[55] Introduced in Thiruvananthapuram district as ring road service in 2012, it was introduced in the Malabar region (connecting Calicut to Wayanad and Palakkad districts) the following year.[56][57][58]

Ordinary

KSRTC's most basic service, the red-and-yellow buses have bench 3+2 or 2+2 seats. Older Super Class buses are usually converted and used for ordinary service.

Town-to-Town (TT)

TT service, charging ordinary fares with fewer stops,[59][60] was introduced during the mid-1990s.

Limited Stop Ordinary

An old ordinary service bus

Ordinary buses with fewer stops, introduced during the mid-1990s.

White-and-blue bus
Venad bus, built on an Ashok Leyland chassis, heading towards Kumily

AC Low Floor Bus

Orange bus
Volvo 8400 BS IV bus at Kochi

KSRTC operates air-conditioned, low-floor buses on city and intercity routes. These Volvo 8400 B7RLE buses were acquired under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).[61][62][63][64]

Non-AC Low-Floor/Semi-Low-Floor Bus

KSRTC operates non-air-conditioned buses (purchased under the JNNURM Phase 2) on short routes. The low-floor Ashok Leyland RESLF BS III, Ashok Leyland 225 hp 12M FESLF and Tata Starbus Urban 9/12 BS III built on 1618 SLF by Marcopolo and ACGL buses stop at all Fast Passenger stops.[65][66][67][68]

Anantapuri/Thiru Kochi/Malabar/Venad

Blue-and-white City Fast buses in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kollam and the Malabar region.[69] These are limited-stop ordinary/ordinary services. These buses have two doors, a one-piece windshield, an all-steel body, a seating capacity of 53, and a low footboard. The bodies were built in-house.

Double-Decker Services

Red-and-yellow double-decker bus
Double-decker bus at the Angamaly bus station

KSRTC operates two Ashok Leyland Titan (BS III 123 kW) double-decker buses with bonnet numbers RN766 and RN765.[70][71][72][73] One of these buses is used for the Royal View service in Munnar.[74]

Apart from these, KSRTC also operates two open top Switch EiV22 electric double decker buses in Thiruvananthapuram for the City tour service.[75][76]

Travancore State Transport Department superintendent E. G. Salter imported double-decker buses in 1937. KSRTC also used one of the original AEC Routemasters in Kochi on a route from Palarivattom to Willingdon Island from the 1960s to the late 1970s. A court, faced with non-payment by the KSRTC, ordered the seizure of the Kochi double-decker until the debt was paid.[77]

Thiruvananthapuram originally had 15 British Leyland double-decker buses, serially numbered from DD1 to DD15, with bodies built at KSRTC Central Workshop in Thiruvananthapuram. The buses had a semi-automatic transmission, with no clutch. The last five buses were moved to Eranakulam district. KSRTC launched two double-decker buses (serial numbers TR555 and TR666) during the 1990s.[78][79][80][81]

City Services

Thiruvananthapuram City Circular

Launched in 2021, the Thiruvananthapuram City Circular is a bus service operated by KSRTC in Thiruvananthapuram. The service operates on circular routes covering all the major parts of the city. The buses ply every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes during off-peak hours. The fare is INR 10 per trip and INR 30 for a whole day trip.[82] Initially, the service was operated using old JNNURM Ashok Leyland and Tata low-floor buses. Later, electric PMI Regio and Eicher Skyline Pro E buses were also introduced.[82]

Thiruvananthapuram City Shuttle

Launched in 2022, as a service for commuters from the peripheral centers of the city to the center. The city shuttle service run round the clock from 7am to 7pm.[83] It is integrated with the circular services, to help commuters travel to other parts of the city.[84] City Shuttle Routes are between Thampanoor to Neyyatinkara, Nemom, Pallichal, Pravachambalam. Plans exist for new routes from the city to Mudavanmugal, Malayinkeezhu, Karakulam, Vattappara, Kazhakuttam, Sreekaryam, Kaniyapuram, Pothencode, Akkulam, Anayara, Veli, Kulathoor, Kovalam and Poovar [85]

Other Services

Sandeshavahini

Super Fast buses with water-conservation messages (sandeshavahini means "messenger" in Malayalam), pamphlets, posters, and other publicity materials for distribution KSRTC introduced the service in March 2017 with 15 buses, one for each district (except Thiruvananthapuram, which has two). The bus bodies were fabricated at KSRTC's Edappal regional workshop on Eicher 20.15 N LPO BS III and Ashok Leyland BS III 160 hp Viking 222 (ALPSV 4/186) chassis.

LNG buses

KSRTC launched its first LNG bus service on 21 June 2021 in order to reduce the operational losses and to promote an energy source considered to be far less damaging to the environment.[86]

Discontinued services

Template:Glossary Template:Term Template:Defn Template:Term Template:Defn Template:Term Template:Defn Template:Term Template:Defn Template:Term Template:Defn Template:Term Template:Defn Template:Term Template:Defn Template:Term Template:Defn Template:Term Template:Defn Template:Glossary endArticulated buses

KSRTC owned an Ashok Leyland Vestibule (BS III 123 kW) bus, which operated in Thiruvananthapuram district and Kollam district. Passengers paid ordinary fares.[87] This bus was gutted in a fire.[88]

Trailer buses had Ashok Leyland tractor units and Allwyn trailers.[72]

Subsidiaries

Kerala Urban Road Transport Corporation

In November 2014, Kerala Urban Road Transport Corporation (KURTC) was formed to operate low-floor buses procured with financial assistance from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).[89]

KSRTC SWIFT

KSRTC SWIFT (K-SWIFT) is a company formed on 9 November 2021 by KSRTC with an aim to overcome the financial crisis faced by the corporation. K-SWIFT function independently within the KSRTC and operates the long-distance buses of the corporation.[90]

Zones

KSRTC Bus Station in Kollam

There were 5 KSRTC zones until 2018: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kochi, Thrissur and Kozhikode.[91] But was reduced to three in 2018.[92][93][94]

Name Districts Headquarters
South Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta Thiruvananthapuram
Central Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur Kochi
North Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasargod Kozhikode

The Thiruvananthapuram (south) zone, which includes three districts, has more buses. The north zone (which includes six districts) has 945 buses, mostly long-distance.[95]

Depots and workshops

KSRTC has 28 depots, 45 sub-depots, 19 operating centres, 28 stationmaster offices, five workshops and three staff-training colleges throughout the state.[96] In 1995, the corporation established the Sree Chitra Thirunal College of Engineering in Pappanamcode at its central workshop.

KSRTC has 28 station master (SM) offices in Ambalapuzha, Ayoor, Eenchakkal, Ernakulam Jetty, Ettumanoor, Iritty, Kadakkal, Kaliyakkavila, Kuthiyathode, Malayilkeezh, Mundakkayam, Nagarcoil, Ochira, Pattambi, Pothencode, Puthenkurishu, Tirur, Valanchery, Varkala, Vytila Hub, and staff-training colleges in Trivandrum, Ernakulam and Edappal.[96]

Template:AnchorFares

A handful of bus tickets
Stack of traditional old bus tickets. Today, electronic ticketing machines are used.

KSRTC uses a fare-stage system to calculate fares.[97][98]

Fare table
Service class Minimum fare Rate per km for travel above minimum fare
City/Ordinary Template:INR10 100 paise
City Fast Template:INR12 103 paise
Fast Passenger/LSFP Template:INR15 105 paise
Super Fast Passenger Template:INR22 108 paise
Super Express Template:INR28 110 paise
Super Deluxe Template:INR40 120 paise
Luxury/Hi-tech and AC Template:INR60 150 paise
Garuda Sanchari/Biaxle Premium Template:INR60 181 paise
Garuda Maharaja/ Garuda King Class/ Multi-axle Premium Template:INR100 225 paise
A/C Low Floor Template:INR26 175 paise
Non A/C Low Floor Template:INR10 100 paise

24 Hour Passenger support system is available and the Contact number for the same is 0471 - 2463799 or 9447071021. Passengers can also submit the suggestions and complaints through the official face book page of KSRTC

Cultural impact and in media

KSRTC buses have a wide fan following across the entire state of Kerala.[99] Fondly called as Aanavandi, it has close to 100 dedicated fan pages on Instagram. Many people see KSRTC buses as a callback to their childhood nostalgia, while some others enjoy frequently travelling in these buses.[100] There have even been incidents where passengers requested the authority to bring back their favourite buses, which were taken to other depots from their existing depots or even requested to stop transferring their favorite routes to KSRTC Swift for operation like the prestigious Changanassery–Velankanni Super Express[101][102]

KSRTC buses have been featured in many Malayalam movies. The 2012 film Ordinary's main plot revolves around some incidents happening in a KSRTC bus. Since then, film fraternity started associating KSRTC buses to the culture of Keralites.[103] There is a famous quote from the movie Jacobinte Swargarajyam about KSRTC buses where the hero states that "Every Malayali (Keralite) has to travel in a KSRTC bus to be qualified as a Malayali".[104] The 2021 movie Yuvam is completely based on KSRTC. It shows the journey of three young advocates, who tries to save KSRTC from getting privatised due to debts which happened due the inlawful actions by some politicians.[105]

"The history of KSRTC in Kerala is intertwined with the lives of the people. It's not just a vehicle service. This public transport system has left its mark on our cultural life, including in cinema and literature and it cannot be erased so quickly"; said the then transport minister Antony Raju following the legal battle Kerala won over Karnataka to use the brand KSRTC.[106] Kerala has won the trademark battle against Karnataka. The acronym KSRTC, which was being used by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation and the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, will now be used only in Kerala.[107]

See also

References

  1. ↑ KSRTC is a registered trademark
  2. ↑ Two states, one brand: how Kerala won battle against Karnataka for KSRTC trademark. The Indian Express(2021-06-05). Retrieved 2022-07-08.
  3. ↑ When the buses drove in. The Hindu(2014-02-19). Retrieved 2021-07-04.
  4. ↑ All about KSRTC. Keralartc.com. Retrieved 2018-06-16.
  5. ↑ At present the corporation has 5400 buses running on 4500 schedules. http://www.keralartc.com/html/aboutus.html Template:Webarchive
  6. ↑ K-SWIFT will save ailing KSRTC, says MD Biju Prabhakar. English.Mathrubhumi(17 January 2021). Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  7. ↑ Two states, one brand: how Kerala won battle against Karnataka for KSRTC trademark. The Indian Express(5 June 2021). Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  8. ↑ The KSRTC conflict : who gets the trademark, Ch, Leela Madhuri. iPleaders(15 November 2021). Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  9. ↑ [1] Template:Webarchive
  10. ↑ When the buses drove in. The Hindu(2014-02-19). Retrieved 2023-02-19.
  11. ↑ Travancore State Manual{{#if:Nagam Aiya|, Nagam Aiya}. Nabu Press(2011)
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 When the buses drove in. The Hindu(2014-02-19). Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  13. ↑ British Oilers inaugurate State-owned Service in India | 21st January 1938 | The Commercial Motor Archive. archive.commercialmotor.com. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 KeralaSRTC::History. www.keralartc.com. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  15. ↑ Public Road Transport Service in Kerala Turns 77. NDTV.com. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  16. ↑ Public road transport service in Kerala turns 77. Deccan Chronicle(21 February 2015). Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 'KSRTC' is officially Kerala's! Karnataka loses 7-year battle to use acronym for road transport corp. www.timesnownews.com.
  18. ↑ Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses get new registration series. The Times of India.
  19. ↑ Forced Facelift Brings Fortune To Kerala's Public Transport. The Financial Express(2002-09-30). Retrieved 2018-12-20.
  20. ↑ Concern over decline in number of inter-district buses. The Hindu(2016-12-09). Retrieved 2017-10-02.
  21. ↑ Karnataka loses 'KSRTC' to Kerala, Trade Marks Registry pronounces verdict, Narayanan, Nirmal. www.ibtimes.co.in(2021-06-02). Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  22. ↑ LNG powered KSRTC bus service from Monday. The Hindu(2021-06-20). Retrieved 2021-06-21.
  23. ↑ KSRTC-SWIFT comes into force | Thiruvananthapuram News. The Times of India(20 February 2021). Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  24. ↑ Kerala State Road Transport Corporation - keralartc.com. Kerala State Road Transport Corporation - keralartc.com. Retrieved 2025-04-20.
  25. ↑ KSRTC reports 1261 buses are over 15 years old; employees say real number exceeds 2,000. English.Mathrubhumi(2025-02-16). Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Kerala Motor Vehicle Department.
  27. ↑ KSRTC's fleet number: Demystified. www.platform7.in(8 November 2009). Retrieved 2018-08-12.
  28. ↑ Serial Numbers Given For KSRTC Buses. Aanavandi Travel Blog(2015-07-31). Retrieved 2018-08-12.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 KeralaSRTC::Vehicle search. www.keralartc.com. Retrieved 2018-08-12.
  30. ↑ KSRTC to launch 143 buses on Aug. 21. The Hindu(2025-08-19). Retrieved 2025-09-05.
  31. ↑ Kerala Road Transport Corporation Launches Kerala Swift Buses Garuda and Gajaraj Premium AC Sleeper Seater Bus Services. My TNSTC Blog(2022-03-06). Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  32. ↑ Poor patronage forces KSRTC to shift Thiruvananthapuram-Bengaluru Gajaraja service to Ernakulam, Service, Express News. The New Indian Express(2025-03-11). Retrieved 2025-04-20.
  33. ↑ KSRTC all set to roll out 18 Scania buses. The Hindu(21 April 2016).
  34. ↑ 27 new KSRTC buses yet to hit the road. The Times of India. Retrieved 2018-07-30.
  35. ↑ KSRTC not take in more Scania buses. Deccan Chronicle(25 March 2018).
  36. ↑ KSRTC to buy 10 Volvo multi-axle buses. The Hindu(10 October 2013).
  37. ↑ Vanakkam Chennai, SWIFT fulfills passengers' long-standing demand, that too at low cost, Daily, Keralakaumudi. Keralakaumudi Daily. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  38. ↑ 'Minnal' not to make unscheduled stops. The New Indian Express.
  39. ↑ Minnal fleet to flaunt white and red colours. The Times of India. Retrieved 2018-07-30.
  40. ↑ In a race against time, KSRTC launches 'Minnal' buses. The Hindu(28 June 2017).
  41. ↑ KSRTC 'Minnal' services from today. The New Indian Express.
  42. ↑ Thirty new buses in KSRTC fleet. The Hindu(2008-08-29). Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  43. ↑ Super Deluxe buses to ply inter-State in Kerala. The Hindu(10 October 2013).
  44. ↑ 47yrs Kannur deluxe still ksrtcs ambassador. Deccan Chronicle.
  45. ↑ കണ്ണൂര്‍ ഡീലക്‌സിന് 47 വയസ്. www.mathrubhumi.com.
  46. ↑ സിനിമയിലെ സൂപ്പർതാരങ്ങളെ വരെ മോഹിപ്പിച്ച താരത്തിന് 51ന്റെ നിറയൗവനം. ManoramaOnline.
  47. ↑ Kannur Deluxe: 1969. The Hindu(5 July 2015).
  48. ↑ Swift Bus rams into people picking mangoes, three injured, one critical, Daily, Keralakaumudi. Keralakaumudi Daily. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  49. ↑ KSRTC launches Sabari Express for Sabari Mala – CV news. www.cvnews.in.
  50. ↑ KSRTC introduces Sabari Express for Ayyappa devotees this Sabarimala season. International Business Times, India Edition. Retrieved 2018-07-30.
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 KSRTC allows standing passengers on Super Class buses| Ksrtc standing passengers amendment | Mathrubhumi Online. english.mathrubhumi.com.
  52. ↑ KSRTC Swift superfast out with new design: System in place to detect driver's sleepiness. Onmanorama. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
  53. ↑ KSRTC Launches Limited Stop Superfast Buses for Enhanced Travel Convenience(2024-06-30). Retrieved 2025-04-20.
  54. ↑ It's cool, say passengers to KSRTC's converted superfast AC bus service in Kochi, E, Krishna Kumar K.. The New Indian Express(2025-04-25). Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  55. ↑ right on track. www.newindianexpress.com(9 May 2018). Retrieved 2018-07-30.
  56. ↑ CM flags off Rajadhani bus service. The Times of India. Retrieved 2018-07-29.
  57. ↑ 'Rajadhani' Services Flagged Off By CM. www.yentha.com. Retrieved 2018-07-30.
  58. ↑ വയനാട്-കോഴിക്കോട് റൂട്ടില്‍ കെ എസ് ആര്‍ ടി സി രാജധാനി നിരത്തിലിറങ്ങി. www.sirajlive.com(29 March 2013). Retrieved 2018-07-30.
  59. ↑ Kerala State Road Transport Corporation to start more services linking Malappuram. The Times of India.
  60. ↑ Town-to-Town: The revolution that changed KSRTC, forever.... www.platform7.in(25 June 2009).
  61. ↑ Low-floor bus services begin today. The Hindu(24 April 2015).
  62. ↑ Non-AC JNNURM buses 'vanishing'. The New Indian Express.
  63. ↑ JnNURM. BESTpedia.
  64. ↑ 'JNNURM buses for urban transport'. The New Indian Express.
  65. ↑ Low-floor AC buses under JNNURM launched. The Hindu(17 November 2009).
  66. ↑ KSRTC adds 10 more tata marcopolo buses to its fleet.. www.motorindiaonline.in.
  67. ↑ Ashok Leyland Bags Orders for 4,000 Buses worth ₹1, 500 crore, Shares Soar. International Business Times, India Edition.
  68. ↑ The first batch of JNNURM buses for 12 districts arrives. The Hindu(25 January 2015).
  69. ↑ 50 more Ananthapuri Fast bus services. The Hindu(30 January 2009).
  70. ↑ Angamaly's own PM, a KSRTC double decker bus, rules the road(2 May 2018). Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  71. ↑ Double-decker service for techies. The Times of India. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  72. ↑ 72.0 72.1 Double-decker bus service brings loss to KSRTC. The Times of India.
  73. ↑ KSRTC to begin double decker service in Kochi. The Hindu(15 February 2011).
  74. ↑ KSRTC Munnar Royal View double-decker bus is a hit: How to book, spots covered, fares, timings. The Hindu(13 February 2025).
  75. ↑ SWITCH EiV 22 open-roof Double Decker Electric Buses added to KSRTC SWIFT fleet – CV. www.commercialvehicle.in.
  76. ↑ India's first electric double – decker bus to be used for city tours in TVM – ON Manorama. www.onmanorama.com.
  77. ↑ The last running "Leyland Comet DD" will now be history. Will Ash Ley save him? – CV news. www.cvnews.in.
  78. ↑ A Historic Ride on India's First Double-Decker Buses. Nat Geo Traveller.
  79. ↑ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Updates- Central World Mall, Pattoor opens in August 2018 - Page 41. www.forumkeralam.in.
  80. ↑ 75 years on the 'Double' - Feature - Autocar India. www.autocarindia.com.
  81. ↑ History on wheels - pride of the roads. The Hindu(27 January 2006).
  82. ↑ 82.0 82.1 City circular service gets 10 more electric buses, taking total to 35. The Times of India(2022-11-15). Retrieved 2024-03-03.
  83. ↑ KSRTC launches city shuttle services in Thiruvananthapuram. The Hindu(2022-01-13). Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  84. ↑ Kerala State Road Transport Corporation launches city shuttle service. The Times of India(2022-01-14). Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  85. ↑ KSRTC to extend city shuttle services to more routes, Mohan, Shainu. The New Indian Express(2022-02-03). Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  86. ↑ Kerala rolls out its first LNG-powered bus service.
  87. ↑ കെഎസ്ആര്‍ടിസിയിലെ ഏക വെസ്സ്റ്റിബ്യൂള്‍ ബസ് തിരുവനന്തപുരം ജില്ലയ്ക്ക് സ്വന്തം; വൈറലായി ചിത്രങ്ങൾ; ആറ്റിങ്ങൽ - കിഴക്കേക്കോട്ട റൂട്ടിൽ ബസ് സർവീസ്. metromalayali.in.Template:Dead link
  88. ↑ Miraculous escape for 44 people as KSRTC bus catches fire at Kayamkulam. The Hindu(2024-02-23). Retrieved 2025-04-17.
  89. ↑ All JNNURM buses to be brought under KURTC. The Hindu(26 October 2014). Retrieved 20 Jan 2015.
  90. ↑ KSRTC's new SWIFT services netted Rs 35.38 lakh during inaugural week. www.onmanorama.com. Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  91. ↑ Record collection for State utility. The Hindu(9 January 2018). Retrieved 2020-06-23.
  92. ↑ KSRTC opts for course correction to now drive its way in three zones. www.newindianexpress.com(10 July 2018). Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  93. ↑ KSRTC to work in three zones from today. The Hindu(2018-07-24). Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  94. ↑ 'New zones to boost KSRTC operations'. The Times of India. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  95. ↑ Now, KSRTC turns into 3 independent zones| KSRTC divided into three zones | Mathrubhumi Online. english.mathrubhumi.com(26 July 2018). Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  96. ↑ 96.0 96.1 KeralaSRTC :: Offices. Keralartc.com. Retrieved 2018-06-16.
  97. ↑ Fare. Kerala State Road Transport Corporation - keralartc.com. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  98. ↑ KSRTC asked to comply with fare stage rules. The Hindu(2016-02-22). Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  99. ↑ വീട്ടുമുറ്റത്തെ ആനവണ്ടി; 'ഒരു കെഎസ്ആര്‍ടിസി പ്രേമം', ഡെസ്ക്, അഴിമുഖം. Azhimukham(September 2020). Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  100. ↑ Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses have a dedicated fan following on Instagram. The Hindu(2021-03-15). Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  101. ↑ Finally, the hardcore KSRTC fan of Erattupetta reveals her identity. Mathrubhumi(25 April 2018). Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  102. ↑ Rosmy's 'katta' love for KSRTC bus brings it back to her - The New Indian Express. www.newindianexpress.com(11 April 2018). Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  103. ↑ Film shoots bring revenue to KSRTC. The Times of India(15 February 2017). Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  104. ↑ Film shoots, a money spinner for debt-ridden KSRTC. Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  105. ↑ Malayalam film 'Yuvam' is a dream come true for director Pinku Peter. The Hindu(2021-02-13). Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  106. ↑ Brand KSRTC is Kerala's own | Thiruvananthapuram News. The Times of India(Jun 3, 2021). Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  107. ↑ 'KSRTC' now belongs to Kerala after 7 years of legal battle with Karnataka. India Today(4 June 2021). Retrieved 2022-10-28.

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