Kerala State Road Transport Corporation

2021-07-04T11:40:11Z

137.97.103.244: /* Fares */

{{Short description|Transport corporation of Kerala}}
{{About|the state-owned road transport corporation in Kerala|the Karnataka state corporation|Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation|other uses|KSRTC (disambiguation)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2014}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Kerala State Road Transport Corporation
| logo = Kerala State Road Transport Corporation logo.png
| logo_size = 200px
| caption =
| native_name = Aanavandi
| type = Public-sector corporation under the Transport Department, [[Government of Kerala]]
| industry = [[Public transport]]
| key_people = Biju Prabhakar (Managing Director)
| foundation = {{Start date and age|1938|02|20|}} (as ''Travancore State Transport Department'')
| dissolved =
| location_city = [[Thiruvananthapuram]]
| areas_served = [[Kerala]]<br />[[Tamil Nadu]]<br />[[Karnataka]]<br />[[Mahé district|Mahe District]] of [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]]
| products =
| services = Bus transport<br />Courier service
| revenue = {{Increase}} {{INRConvert|2165.156|c}}<ref>{{cite news |title=How poor operational efficiency bleeds India’s public bus transport undertakings |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-poor-operational-efficiency-bleeds-public-bus-transport-undertakings-in-india/story-3qi4Dm8f6BHKRzcoHMTwYK.html |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=27 October 2017 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Key Financial Ratios of SRTUs during March 2015 and March 2016 |url=https://data.gov.in/node/4239081 |website=Open Government Data (OGD) Platform India |language=en |date=19 January 2018}}</ref>
| revenue_year = 2015–16
| operating_income =
| net_income = {{loss}} {{INRConvert|-738.768|c}}
| net_income_year = 2015–16
| num_employees =
| divisions =
| subsid = [[Kerala Urban Road Transport Corporation|Kerala Urban Road Transport Corporation (KURTC)]]
| footnotes = KSRTC
| location_country =
| homepage = {{url|keralartc.com}}
}}
{{anchor|Trivia}}
'''Kerala State Road Transport Corporation''' ('''KSRTC''') 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.<ref>{{Cite news|last=PRADEEP|first=K.|date=2014-02-19|title=When the buses drove in|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/when-the-buses-drove-in/article5706345.ece|access-date=2021-07-04|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> 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 {{convert|1200000|km}} to {{convert|1422546|km}},<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.keralartc.com/html/aboutus.html |title=All about KSRTC |publisher=Keralartc.com |access-date=2018-06-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625184242/http://www.keralartc.com/html/aboutus.html |archive-date=25 June 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> using 6,241 buses on 6,389 routes.<ref>At present the corporation has 5373 buses running on 4795 schedules. http://www.keralartc.com/html/aboutus.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625184242/http://www.keralartc.com/html/aboutus.html |date=25 June 2018 }}</ref> The corporation transports an average of 3.145 million commuters per day.

The [[Kerala Urban Road Transport Corporation]] (KURTC) was formed under KSRTC in 2015 to manage affairs related to urban transportation.{{sfn|Chandran|2018|p=422}} It was inaugurated on 12 April 2015 at [[Thevara]].{{sfn|Chandran|2018|p=423}}

[[File:KSRTC bus at Parambikulam Tiger Reserve.JPG|thumbnail|alt=Small bus on a narrow road|KSRTC Bus at Parambikulam Tiger Reserve]]

==History==

=== Travancore State Transport Department ===
The corporation's history dates back to before the formation of [[Kerala]], making it one of India's oldest state-operated public road transport services. The [[Travancore]] government, headed by [[List of Maharajas of Travancore|King]] [[Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma]], decided to establish the Travancore State Transport Department (TSTD) to improve the existing public-transport system. A committee was formed, and it was decided that expert advice was needed.<ref>[http://www.natgeotraveller.in/web-exclusive/web-exclusive-month/kerala-bus-journey/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414040442/http://www.natgeotraveller.in/web-exclusive/web-exclusive-month/kerala-bus-journey/ |date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=[[Travancore State Manual]]|last=Nagam Aiya|first=V|publisher=Nabu Press|year=2011|volume=1|orig-year=1901}}</ref>

Initially, the department imported 60 [[Commer|Commer PNF3]] chassis from England. Under Salter's supervision, they were fitted with [[Perkins Engines|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.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/when-the-buses-drove-in/article5706345.ece|title=When the buses drove in|last=PRADEEP|first=K.|date=2014-02-19|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-07-31|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/21st-january-1938/9/british-oilers-inaugurate-state-owned-service-in-i|title=British Oilers inaugurate State-owned Service in India {{!}} 21st January 1938 {{!}} The Commercial Motor Archive|website=archive.commercialmotor.com|access-date=2018-07-31}}</ref>

Most of the private operators on the [[Thiruvananthapuram|Trivandrum]]-[[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.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://www.keralartc.com/html/history.html|title=KeralaSRTC::History|website=www.keralartc.com|access-date=2018-07-31}}</ref>

The state road-transport service was inaugurated on 20 February 1938 by [[Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma|Maharaja Sree Chithira Thirunal]], who (with his family, [[G. V. Raja|Col. Goda Varma Raja]], and other dignitaries) rode the first bus on the Main Road to [[Kowdiar|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|Trivandrum]] to [[Kanyakumari]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/kerala-news/public-road-transport-service-in-kerala-turns-77-741029?amp=1&akamai-rum=off|title=Public Road Transport Service in Kerala Turns 77|work=NDTV.com|access-date=2018-07-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/amp/150220/nation-current-affairs/article/public-road-transport-service-kerala-turns-77|title=Public road transport service in Kerala turns 77|website=www.deccanchronicle.com|language=en|access-date=2018-07-31}}</ref>

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 [[Kufi|topi]], and inspectors wore khaki. Conductors had machines to issue tickets. Later buses were manufactured by [[Dodge]], [[Fargo Trucks|Fargo]], [[Bedford Vehicles|Bedford]], and [[Chevrolet]].<ref name=":3" />

The TSTD operated on three routes: [[Thiruvananthapuram|Trivandrum]]-[[Nagercoil]], [[Nagercoil]]-[[Kanyakumari]], and [[Nagercoil]]-[[Colachel|Colachal]]. Regular service began on 21 February 1938 with 39 buses. The minimum fare for one mile was one-half [[Travancore Rupee#Inscriptions|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 {{convert|28|lb}} was free; {{convert|28|-|56|lb}} was four chakrams, and {{convert|56|-|112|lb}} was six chakrams.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" />

The Motor Vehicle Act was passed in 1939. Bus service was extended to [[Kochi|Cochin]] in 1949, and to the [[Malabar region]] in 1956.<ref name=":3" /><ref name="auto">{{cite news |title='KSRTC' is officially Kerala's! Karnataka loses 7-year battle to use acronym for road transport corp |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/kerala/article/ksrtc-is-officially-keralas-karnataka-loses-7-year-battle-to-use-acronym-for-road-transport-corp/765657 |work=www.timesnownews.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== {{anchor|The Kerala State Transport Corporation}}Kerala State Road Transport Corporation ===
[[File:Old photo of KSRTC Bus Station.jpg|alt=Line of old buses|thumb|[[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.
<ref name=":4" />

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.<ref name=":4" /> The KLX registration series was reserved for the KSRTC. On 1 July 1989, KSRTC buses began registration at a dedicated [[Regional Transport Office|RTO]] in [[Thiruvananthapuram|Trivandrum]] with the KL-15 registration series.<ref name=":5" />

In 2001 [[K. B. Ganesh Kumar]] became transport minister, and his brief tenure brought beneficial changes to the corporation. KSRTC was the first state 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 Trivandrum, and minibus service began. The changes attracted passengers, making the corporation profitable.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/archive/forced-facelift-brings-fortune-to-keralas-public-transport/58716/|title=Forced Facelift Brings Fortune To Kerala's Public Transport|date=2002-09-30|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-20}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/Concern-over-decline-in-number-of-inter-district-buses/article16786016.ece|title=Concern over decline in number of inter-district buses|last=Paul|first=John L.|date=2016-12-09|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-10-02|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

The [[Kerala Urban Road Transport Corporation]] (KURTC) was formed under KSRTC in 2015 to manage affairs related to urban transportation.{{sfn|Chandran|2018|p=422}} It was inaugurated on 12 April 2015 at [[Thevara]].{{sfn|Chandran|2018|p=423}}

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.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Narayanan|first=Nirmal|date=2021-06-02|title=Karnataka loses 'KSRTC' to Kerala, Trade Marks Registry pronounces verdict|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/karnataka-loses-ksrtc-kerala-trade-marks-registry-pronounces-verdict-837078|access-date=2021-06-03|website=www.ibtimes.co.in|language=en}}</ref> 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<ref name="auto"/> 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 [[Liquefied natural gas|LNG]] bus service from [[Thiruvananthapuram]] to [[Ernakulam]] for regular passengers. The first commercial LNG bus service had been launched exclusively for [[Petronet LNG|Petronet]] employees in Kochi earlier.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Radhakrishan|first=S. Anil|date=2021-06-20|title=LNG powered KSRTC bus service from Monday|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/lng-powered-ksrtc-bus-service-from-monday/article34864480.ece|access-date=2021-06-21|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

==Fleet==
[[File:Ksrtc bus stand calicut.jpg|alt=|thumb|230px|KSRTC Bus Station at [[Kozhikode]]]]
The corporation has a fleet of 6241 buses consisting [[Volvo Buses|Volvo]], [[Scania AB|Scania]], [[Ashok Leyland]], [[Tata Motors]], [[Eicher Motors]] and minibuses.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.keralartc.com/html/aboutus.html |title=KSRTC Directory |publisher=Keralartc.com |access-date=2018-06-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625184242/http://www.keralartc.com/html/aboutus.html |archive-date=25 June 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=":5">{{cite news |title=Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses get new registration series - Times of India |url=https://m.timesofindia.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/Kerala-State-Road-Transport-Corporation-buses-get-new-registration-series/articleshow/20611019.cms |work=The Times of India}}</ref> The vehicles owned by KSRTC is registered under a dedicated RTO at Thiruvananthapuram with a registration series KL-15.

=== {{anchor|Fleet Numbering System}}Fleet numbering system ===
Although KSRTC has a dedicated [[RTO code|RTO]] ([[Regional Transport Office]]r) to register its fleet, all its buses have bonnet numbers (for internal identification) adjacent to the depot mark at the front of the vehicle.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://mvd.kerala.gov.in/|title=Kerala Motor Vehicle Department}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.platform7.in/2009/11/ksrtcs-fleet-number-demystified.html?m=1|title=KSRTC's fleet number: Demystified|website=www.platform7.in|access-date=2018-08-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.aanavandi.com/blog/specials/stories-with-ksrtc/serial-numbers-given-for-ksrtc-buses|title=Serial Numbers Given For KSRTC Buses|last=Bhakthan|first=Sujith|date=2015-07-31|work=Aanavandi Travel Blog|access-date=2018-08-12|language=en-US}}</ref> ''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.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=http://www.keralartc.com/html/vehicle.php|title=KeralaSRTC::Vehicle search|website=www.keralartc.com|access-date=2018-08-12}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed plainrowheaders unsortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
||'''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:<ref name=":7" />
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders unsortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! scope="col" style="background:lite blue;" | Code
! scope="col" style="background:lite blue;" | 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''.<ref name=":7" />

=== {{anchor|Types of Services}}Services===
[[File:KSRTC Scania Maharaja RP 666.jpg|thumb|alt=front of a modern bus|Garuda Maharaja service, operated with Scania Metrolink HD buses]]
{{glossary}}
{{term|1=Garuda Maharaja}}
{{defn|1=Introduced in 2016, Garuda Maharaja is the corporation's flagship service and uses [[Scania AB|Scania Metrolink HD]] {{convert|13.7|m|adj=on}} 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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Radhakrishnan |first1=S. Anil |title=KSRTC all set to roll out 18 Scania buses |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/ksrtc-all-set-to-roll-out-18-scania-buses/article8501876.ece |work=The Hindu |date=21 April 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/27-new-KSRTC-buses-yet-to-hit-the-road/amp_articleshow/52138874.cms|title=27 new KSRTC buses yet to hit the road - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-07-30|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=KSRTC not take in more Scania buses |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/250318/ksrtc-not-take-in-more-scania-buses.html |work=Deccan Chronicle |date=25 March 2018 }}</ref>}}
{{term|1=Garuda King Class}}
{{defn|1=Premium service, introduced in 2014, on 10 air-conditioned [[Euro III]] [[Volvo B9R|Volvo 9400 XL B9R]] multi-axle buses with amnesties similar to Garuda Maharaja.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last1=Radhakrishnan |first1=S. Anil |title=KSRTC to buy 10 Volvo multi-axle buses |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/ksrtc-to-buy-10-volvo-multiaxle-buses/article5218130.ece |work=The Hindu |date=10 October 2013 }}</ref>}}
{{term|1=Garuda Sanchari}}
{{defn|1=KSRTC operates two-axle Volvo buses in its Garuda Sanchari service (''sanchari'' means "passenger" in [[Malayalam]]). The service was introduced by [[K. B. Ganesh Kumar]] in 2002. The first vehicles, two Volvo Euro III [[Volvo B7R|B7R Mark1]] (TP620 and TP621) were the first Volvo buses introduced by a road transport corporation. One bus operated on the Trivandrum–[[Palakkad]] route and the other operated on the Trivandrum-[[Kozhikode|Kozhikkode]] route until 2008. In 2008, KSRTC acquired three [[Volvo 9700|Volvo 9400 B7R Mark III]] buses.<ref name="The Hindu : In top gear">{{cite news |title=In top gear |url=https://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/03/06/stories/2003030601300200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030630065149/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/03/06/stories/2003030601300200.htm |url-status=dead |work=[[The Hindu]] |archive-date=2003-06-30 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The Hindu Business Line : KSRTC plans to ply luxury buses |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2002/10/02/stories/2002100200521700.htm |work=www.thehindubusinessline.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Forced Facelift Brings Fortune To Kerala's Public Transport |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/archive/forced-facelift-brings-fortune-to-keralas-public-transport/58716/ |work=The Financial Express}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Paul |first1=John L. |title=KSRTC misses the bus as Karnataka rakes in money |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/ksrtc-misses-the-bus-as-karnataka-rakes-in-money/article4383083.ece |work=The Hindu |date=6 February 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=KSRTC plans online reservation |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/KSRTC-plans-online-reservation/article15363362.ece |work=The Hindu |date=18 December 2008 }}</ref>}}
{{term|1=Super Deluxe Air Bus}}
{{defn|1=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 Motors|Tata]] chassis. All passengers are guaranteed a seat.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/Thirty-new-buses-in-KSRTC-fleet/article15291714.ece|title=Thirty new buses in KSRTC fleet|date=2008-08-29|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-07-31|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Correspondent |first1=Special |title=Super Deluxe buses to ply inter-State in Kerala |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/super-deluxe-buses-to-ply-interstate-in-kerala/article5220416.ece/amp/ |work=The Hindu |date=10 October 2013 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140929/nation-current-affairs/article/47-yrs-%E2%80%98kannur-deluxe%E2%80%99-still-ksrtc%E2%80%99s-ambassador|title=47yrs Kannur deluxe still ksrtcs ambassador|work=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=കണ്ണൂര്‍ ഡീലക്‌സിന് 47 വയസ് |url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/tv/ReadMore1/10809/47-years-on-kannur-deluxe-is-still-on-the-running/E |work=www.mathrubhumi.com }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=സിനിമയിലെ സൂപ്പർതാരങ്ങളെ വരെ മോഹിപ്പിച്ച താരത്തിന് 51ന്റെ നിറയൗവനം |url=https://localnews.manoramaonline.com/kannur/local-news/2018/02/19/all-local-knr-kannur-deluxe.html |work=ManoramaOnline}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Vijayakumar |first1=B. |title=Kannur Deluxe: 1969 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/kannur-deluxe-1969/article7386672.ece/amp/ |work=The Hindu |date=5 July 2015 }}</ref>}}
{{term|1=Minnal}}
{{defn|1=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.<ref>{{cite news |title='Minnal' not to make unscheduled stops |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2018/jan/16/minnal-not-to-make-unscheduled-stops-1754911.html |work=The New Indian Express}}</ref> The service was introduced in June 2017, under managing director M. G. Rajamanikyam. Its color scheme was chosen to enhance nighttime visibility.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/minnal-fleet-to-flaunt-white-and-red-colours/articleshow/58899434.cms|title=Minnal fleet to flaunt white and red colours - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-07-30}}</ref> The buses are built in-house on [[Ashok Leyland]] [[Ashok Leyland Viking|160 hp Viking 222’]]’ ([[Ashok Leyland Viking|ALPSV 4/186]]) [[BS III]] and [[Tata 1510/1512|Tata LPO 1512c EX/58]] BS III air suspension chassis.<ref>{{cite news |title=In a race against time, KSRTC launches ‘Minnal’ buses |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/in-a-race-against-time-ksrtc-launches-minnal-buses/article19166143.ece |work=The Hindu |date=28 June 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=KSRTC ‘Minnal’ services from today |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2017/jun/28/ksrtc-minnal-services-from-today-1621734.html |work=The New Indian Express}}</ref>}}
{{term|1=Sabari Air Bus}}
{{defn|1=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 [[Ashok Leyland Viking|Viking 160 hp]] (ALPSV 4/186) and Tata LPO 1512c EX/58 BS III air-suspension chassis.<ref>{{cite news |title=KSRTC launches Sabari Express for Sabari Mala – CV news |url=https://www.cvnews.in/ksrtc-launches-Sabari-express-for-Sabari-mala/ |work=www.cvnews.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://amp.ibtimes.co.in/ksrtc-introduces-sabari-express-ayyappa-devotees-this-sabarimala-season-703430|title=KSRTC introduces Sabari Express for Ayyappa devotees this Sabarimala season|last=James|first=Anu|work=International Business Times, India Edition|access-date=2018-07-30}}</ref>}}
{{term|1=Super Express Air Bus}}
{{defn|1=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.<ref name="english.mathrubhumi.com">{{cite news |title=KSRTC allows standing passengers on Super Class buses{{!}} Ksrtc standing passengers amendment {{!}} Mathrubhumi Online |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/amp/news/kerala/ksrtc-allows-standing-passengers-on-super-class-busesksrtc-standing-passengers-1.2872494 |work=english.mathrubhumi.com }}</ref> The fleet includes buses built in-house on Ashok Leyland 160 hp Viking 222 BS III (ALPSV 4/186) and [[Tata 1510/1512|Tata LPO 1512c EX/58]] BS III air-suspension chassis.}}
{{term|1=Super Fast Passenger (SFP)}}
{{defn|1=[[File:KSRTC Super Fast heading to Calicut.jpg|alt=Red-and-yellow bus|thumb|SFP bus, built by the Edappal Regional Workshop, running towards [[Kozhikode|Kozhikkod]]]]
Non-air-conditioned, 3+2 buses 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 Motors|Tata]] and [[Eicher Motors|Eicher]] chassis.<ref name="english.mathrubhumi.com" /> The service began in early 1992 as an improvement of the Fast Passenger service.}}
{{term|1=Sandeshavahini}}
{{defn|1=Super Fast buses with water-conservation messages (''sandeshavahini'' means "messenger" in Malayalam), pamphlets, posters, and other publicity materials for distribution<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/sandeshavahini-buses-flagged-off/article17970051.ece|title=Sandeshavahini buses flagged off|last=&|first=Staff Reporter|date=2017-04-13|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-07-30|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> 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.}}
{{term|1=Fast Passenger (FP)}}
{{defn|1=[[File:Bus - ബസ് - 1.JPG|alt=Red-and-yellow bus|thumb|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.}}
{{term|1=Limited Stop Fast Passenger (LSFP)}}
{{defn|1=LSFP service is FP service stopping at Super Fast stops.}}
{{term|1=Rajadhani Point-to-Point}}
{{defn|1=[[File:Rajadhani Point-to-Point.jpg|alt=Yellow bus|thumb|Rajadhani bus]]
Nonstop FP service in [[Thiruvananthapuram district|Trivandram]],Palakkad [[Kozhikode district|Calicut]] and [[Wayanad district|Wayanad]] districts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2018/may/09/right-on-track-1812529.amp|title=right on track|website=www.newindianexpress.com|access-date=2018-07-30}}</ref> Introduced in Trivandram district as [[ring road]] service in 2012, it was introduced in the Malabar region (connecting Calicut to Wayanad and Palakkad districts) the following year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/CM-flags-off-Rajadhani-bus-service/amp_articleshow/12628372.cms|title=CM flags off Rajadhani bus service - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-07-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.yentha.com/news/view/1/rajadhani-services-flagged-off-by-cm|title='Rajadhani' Services Flagged Off By CM - Trivandrum News {{!}} Yentha.com|last=yentha.com|website=www.yentha.com|language=en|access-date=2018-07-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sirajlive.com/2013/03/29/12703.html|title=KSRTC Rajadhani service in Wayanad - Calicut Sector|last=Daily|first=Online editor of Siraj|website=www.sirajlive.com|language=en|access-date=2018-07-30}}</ref>}}
{{term|1=Ordinary}}
{{defn|1=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.}}
{{term|1=Town-to-Town (TT)}}
{{defn|1=TT service, charging ordinary fares with fewer stops,<ref>{{cite news |title=Kerala State Road Transport Corporation to start more services linking Malappuram - Times of India |url=https://m.timesofindia.com/city/kozhikode/Kerala-State-Road-Transport-Corporation-to-start-more-services-linking-Malappuram/amp_articleshow/12435336.cms |work=The Times of India }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Town-to-Town: The revolution that changed KSRTC, forever... |url=http://www.platform7.in/2009/06/town-to-town-revolution-that-changed.html |website=www.platform7.in}}</ref> was introduced during the mid-1990s.}}
{{term|1=Ananthapuri Fast/City Fast}}
{{defn|1=Ananthapuri Fast are blue-and-white City Fast buses in Thiruvananthapuram. City Fast buses also operated in [[Ernakulam district]], and their fare is slightly higher than ordinary fare.<ref>{{cite news |title=50 more Ananthapuri Fast bus services |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/50-more-Ananthapuri-Fast-bus-services/article16362978.ece/amp/ |work=The Hindu |date=30 January 2009 }}</ref>}}
{{term|1=Limited Stop Ordinary}}
{{defn|1=[[File:KSRTC Ordinary Service Bus.jpg|thumb|An old ordinary service bus]] Ordinary buses with fewer stops, introduced during the mid-1990s.}}
{{term|1=Malabar/Venad/Thiru Kochi}}
{{defn|1=Introduced as limited-stop ordinary service, the buses are also used for ordinary service.<ref>{{cite news |title=KSRTC moots Venad series buses in city |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/KSRTC-moots-Venad-series-buses-in-city/article15290216.ece |work=The Hindu |date=27 August 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Thiru-Kochi bus service soon to get ‘city fast’ tag - Times of India |url=https://m.timesofindia.com/city/kochi/thiru-kochi-bus-service-soon-to-get-city-fast-tag/amp_articleshow/62043788.cms |work=The Times of India }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=KSRTC’s ‘Malabar’ service evokes good response |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/KSRTCrsquos-lsquoMalabarrsquo-service-evokes-good-response/article15185702.ece |work=The Hindu |date=17 March 2008 }}</ref>
[[File:K.S.R.T.C.Bus.jpg|thumb|alt=White-and-blue bus|Venad bus, built on an Ashok Leyland chassis, heading towards [[Kumily]]]]
Venad service, introduced in July 2005, was limited-stop ordinary services. New buses were inducted to operate ordinary service. The buses had two doors, a better interior and seating, a one-piece windshield, an all-steel body, a [[seating capacity]] of 53, and a low footboard. The bodies were built in-house.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://deccanchronicle.com/current-affairs/210116/kochi-low-floor-ac-buses-in-dockyard.html|title=Kochi low floor ac buses in dockyard|work=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref>}}
{{term|1=AC Low Floor Bus}}
{{defn|1=[[File:Kerala State Road Transport Volvo 8400 operating Route 610.jpg|alt=Orange bus|thumb|[[Volvo 8700|Volvo 8400]] [[BS IV]] bus at [[Kochi]]]]
KSRTC operates air-conditioned, low-floor buses on city and intercity routes. Stopping at all Fast Passenger stops, the [[Volvo B7RLE|Volvo B7R LE]] and 8400 [[BS IV]] buses were acquired under the [[Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission]] (JNNRUM).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Govind |first1=Biju |title=Low-floor bus services begin today |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/lowfloor-bus-services-begin-today/article7136573.ece |work=The Hindu |date=24 April 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Non-AC JNNURM buses 'vanishing' |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2013/sep/20/Non-AC-JNNURM-buses-vanishing-518456.html |work=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=JnNURM |url=http://bestpedia.in/tag/jnnurm/ |work=BESTpedia }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title='JNNURM buses for urban transport' |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2013/sep/24/JNNURM-buses-for-urban-transport-521118.html |work=The New Indian Express}}</ref>}}
{{term|1=Non-AC Low-Floor/Semi-Low-Floor Bus}}
{{defn|1=KSRTC operates non-air-conditioned buses (purchased under the JNNRUM Phase 1) on short routes. The low-floor [[Ashok Leyland RESLF]] BS III, [[Ashok Leyland 12M|Ashok Leyland 225 hp 12M FESLF]] and [[Tata Starbus|Tata Starbus Urban 9/12]] BS III built on 1618 SLF by [[Tata Marcopolo|Marcopolo]] and [[Automobile Corporation of Goa LTD|ACGL]] buses stop at all Fast Passenger stops.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Radhakrishnan |first1=S. Anil |title=Low-floor AC buses under JNNURM launched |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/Low-floor-AC-buses-under-JNNURM-launched/article16892668.ece/amp/ |work=The Hindu |date=17 November 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=KSRTC adds 10 more tata marcopolo buses to its fleet. |url=http://www.motorindiaonline.in/buses/ksrtc-adds-10-more-tata-marcopolo-buses-to-its-fleet/ |work=www.motorindiaonline.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sharma |first1=Bharadwaj |title=Ashok Leyland Bags Orders for 4,000 Buses worth ₹1, 500 crore, Shares Soar |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/ashok-leyland-bags-orders-4000-buses-worth-1-500-crore-shares-soar-608654 |work=International Business Times, India Edition}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Radhakrishnan |first1=S. Anil |title=The first batch of JNNURM buses for 12 districts arrives |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/the-first-batch-of-jnnurm-buses-for-12-districts-arrives/article6820336.ece/amp/ |work=The Hindu |date=25 January 2015 }}</ref>}}
{{term|1=Double-Decker Buses}}
{{defn|1=[[File:Double Decker Bus Angamaly BUS STAND.JPG|alt=Red-and-yellow double-decker bus|thumb|Double-decker bus at the [[Angamaly]] bus station]]
KSRTC operates [[double-decker bus]]es in Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam districts at ordinary fare. The Ashok Leyland Titan (BS III 123 kW) buses have bonnet numbers RN766 and RN765.<ref>{{cite news |title=Angamaly's own PM, a KSRTC double decker bus, rules the road |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/amp/news/good-news/angamaly-s-own-pm-a-ksrtc-double-decker-bus-rules-the-road-kerala-transport--1.2780891 |access-date=29 July 2018 |publisher=Mathrubhumi |date=2 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Double-decker service for techies - Times of India |url=https://m.timesofindia.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/double-decker-service-for-techies/amp_articleshow/61937042.cms |access-date=29 July 2018 |work=The Times of India }}</ref><ref name="The Times of India">{{cite news |title=Double-decker bus service brings loss to KSRTC - Times of India |url=https://m.timesofindia.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/Double-decker-bus-service-brings-loss-to-KSRTC/amp_articleshow/14537372.cms |work=The Times of India }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Staff Reporter |title=KSRTC to begin double decker service in Kochi |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/KSRTC-to-begin-double-decker-service-in-Kochi/article15444890.ece/amp/ |work=The Hindu |date=15 February 2011 }}</ref>

Travancore State Transport Department superintendent E. G. Salter imported double-decker buses in 1937. KSRTC also used one of the original [[AEC Routemaster]]s 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=The last running "Leyland Comet DD" will now be history. Will Ash Ley save him? – CV news |url=https://www.cvnews.in/the-last-running-Leyland-comet-dd-will-now-be-a-history-will-ash-ley-save-him/ |work=www.cvnews.in}}</ref>

Thiruvanathapuram originally had 15 [[British Leyland]] double-decker buses, serially numbered from DD1 to DD15, with bodies built at KSRTC Central Workshop in Thiruvananthapuaram. 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=A Historic Ride on India’s First Double-Decker Buses |url=http://www.natgeotraveller.in/a-historic-ride-on-indias-first-double-decker-buses/ |work=Nat Geo Traveller}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Updates- Central World Mall, Pattoor opens in August 2018 - Page 41 |url=http://www.forumkeralam.in/forum/showthread.php/35826-THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-Updates/page41 |work=www.forumkeralam.in }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=75 years on the ‘Double’ - Feature - Autocar India |url=https://www.autocarindia.com/auto-features-amp/75-years-on-the-8216double8217-348587 |work=www.autocarindia.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=History on wheels - pride of the roads |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-youngworld/history-on-wheels-pride-of-the-roads/article3226360.ece |work=The Hindu |date=27 January 2006 }}</ref>}}
{{term|1=Articulated buses}}
{{defn|1=KSRTC owns an [[Ashok Leyland Vestibule]] (BS III 123 kW) bus, which operates in [[Thiruvananthapuram district]]. Passengers pay ordinary fares.<ref>{{cite news |title=കെഎസ്ആര്‍ടിസിയിലെ ഏക വെസ്സ്റ്റിബ്യൂള്‍ ബസ് തിരുവനന്തപുരം ജില്ലയ്ക്ക് സ്വന്തം; വൈറലായി ചിത്രങ്ങൾ ; ആറ്റിങ്ങൽ - കിഴക്കേക്കോട്ട റൂട്ടിൽ ബസ് സർവീസ് |url=http://trivandrum.metromalayali.in/news/details/keralas-only-one-vestibule-bus-by-ksrtc |work=metromalayali.in}}</ref> [[Trailer bus]]es had [[Ashok Leyland]] tractor units and [[Hyderabad Allwyn|Allwyn]] trailers.<ref name="The Times of India"/>}}
{{term|1=LNG buses}}
KSRTC launched its first LNG bus service on 21 June 2021 inorder to reduce the operational losses and to promote an energy source considered to be far less damaging to the environment. The bus service would be operated on the Thiruvananthapuram-Ernakulam and Ernakulam-Kozhikode routes.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala/kerala-first-lng-powered-bus-service-ksrtc-7368963/}}</ref>
{{glossary end}}

====Discontinued services====
{{Glossary}}
{{term|1=Terraplane}}
{{defn|1=KSRTC's flagship luxury service during the 1970s operated nonstop between Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam. Introduced by transport minister [[R. Balakrishna Pillai]], buses had onboard toilets and a reservation system. Two [[Ashok Leyland]] buses with bonnet numbers A555, A666 and a super-deluxe bus (numbered 4000) were used for the service, which was discontinued due to a high accident rate.}}
{{term|1=Lightning Express}}
{{defn|1=Long distance, limited-stop service during the 1990s. The silver buses were later converted to Volvos.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/speed-governors-can-save-rs8754-crore-for-ksrtc/article3055376.ece|title=Speed governors can save Rs.87.54 crore for KSRTC|date=2006-10-01|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-07-30|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.archive.asianetnews.tv/mobile/Automotive/article/29903_KSRTC-to-start-lightning-express-model-bus-services|title=KSRTC to start lightning express model bus services|work=www.archive.asianetnews.tv|access-date=30 July 2018}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/amp/150627/nation-current-affairs/article/ksrtc-plans-add-scania-its-luxury-fleet|title=KSRTC plans add scania its luxury fleet|work=www.deccanchronicle.com|access-date=30 July 2018}}</ref>}}
{{term|1=White Express}}
{{defn|1=Red-and-white buses which operated during the 1990s}}
{{term|1=Silver Line Jet}}
{{defn|1=Introduced in 2015 as a successor to the Lighting Express, the limited-stop intrastate service had reclining seats, a CCTV camera, Wi-Fi, and charging facilities for laptops and mobile phones. It was discontinued due to low ridership, reportedlu caused by lack of air suspension and high fares. The 41-seat buses were fabricated in-house on Ashok Leyland BS III [[Ashok Leyland Viking|160 hp Viking 222’’]] ([[Ashok Leyland Viking|ALPSV 4/186]]) and Eicher 20.15 N LPO BS III chassis.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Kerala SRTC taking a big leap |url=http://www.motorindiaonline.in/buses/kerala-srtc-taking-a-big-leap/ |work=www.motorindiaonline.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://malayalam.news18.com/amp/news/kerala/ksrtc-stops-silver-line-jet-services-13799.html|title=ksrtc stops silver line jet services– News18 Malayalam|website=malayalam.news18.com|language=en|access-date=2018-07-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.asianetnews.com/news/ksrtc-ends-silver-jet-line-services|title=കെ.എസ്.ആർ.ടി.സി സിൽവർ ലൈന്‍ ജെറ്റ് സർവീസ് അവസാനിപ്പിച്ചു|work=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd|access-date=2018-07-30}}</ref>}}
{{term|1=Pink Bus}}
{{defn|1=KSRTC launched the women-only city fast service in Thiruvananthapuram district in 2017. The buses had women conductors. Two old Ashok Leyland 160 hp Viking BS III 222’’ (ALPSV 4/186) pink super-fast buses were used for the service. However, the buses failed to attract passengers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2017/jan/05/ksrtc-to-roll-out-pink-buses-for-women-1556318.amp|title=KSRTC to roll out pink buses for women|website=www.newindianexpress.com|access-date=2018-07-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/Pink-Bus-RTC%E2%80%99s-gift-to-women/article17091970.ece|title=Pink Bus, RTC’s gift to women|author=Staff Reporter|date=2017-01-25|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-07-30|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>}}
{{term|1=Minibus}}
{{defn|1=KSRTC's minibus service, introduced in 2003, was the first of its kind in India. With a capacity of 25 to 30 seats, the buses were ideal for some routes and stopped at passenger request. The service was discontinued due to bus-durability concerns.<ref name="The Hindu : In top gear" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/251117/kerala-plans-to-start-mini-buses-fail.html|title=Kerala plans to start mini buses fail|work=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=30 July 2018}}</ref>}}
{{term|1=Ananthapuri Air Bus}}
{{defn|1=Introduced in 2005 in Thiruvananthapuram, the service was a predecessor of low-floor buses. With two doors and a long body, the buses could carry almost twice as many passengers as other buses. Intended for tourists, the semi-low floor (635mm), rear engine, non-air-conditioned bus by [[Ashok Leyland Panther]] chassis (ALPS 3/22) had a body built by Irizar – TVS.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindujagroup.com/global-investments/automotive/irizar-tvs.html|title=Irizar for manufacturing International class bus bodies in India - the Hindujas|website=www.hindujagroup.com|access-date=2018-07-31}}</ref> With H-series turbocharged engines conforming to BS-II emission standards the 42 seater buses also had front and rear air suspension. KSRTC had a total 4 of them with serial numbers RT599, RT600, RT601, and RT602. These buses had dark blue lines on white background paintjob.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kerala State Road Transport Corporation - Government of Kerala, India |url=https://kerala.gov.in/kerala-state-road-transport-corporation |work=kerala.gov.in }}</ref><ref name="The Hindu : In top gear"/>}}
{{term|1=AC Air Deluxe}}
{{defn|1=[[File: Ksrtc ac bus ernakulam.JPG|alt=White bus with a tricolor swoosh|thumb|RT962, a Tata AC Air Bus owned by KSRTC]]
A short-lived air-conditioned service was launched in 2005 after the first Volvo buses. There were 10 buses: five Tata (built by Popular) and five Ashok Leyland, built by Irizar TVS. The Tata buses were built on LPO 1616/62 BS-II chassis with engine-driven (direct-drive) air-conditioning, and the AL chassis were 177  hp 12M BS-II (ALPSV 4/86) with air-conditioning driven by a slave engine.

At the end of 2007, KSRTC added 20 [[Tata Globus|Tata Globus 45]] buses to its fleet. The buses with tri-colour streaks on a white background, had reclining seats and recharging facilities for mobile phones.<ref>{{cite news |title=KSRTC to vie for ‘model’ tag |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/KSRTC-to-vie-for-lsquomodelrsquo-tag/article14895833.ece |work=The Hindu |date=16 December 2007 }}</ref>}}
{{glossary end}}

==Kerala Urban Road Transport Corporation==
In November 2014, [[Kerala Urban Road Transport Corporation]] (KURTC, with its headquarters in [[Kochi]]) was formed to operate low-floor buses procured with financial assistance from the [[Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission]] (JNNURM).<ref name="kurtc">{{Cite news|url = http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/all-jnnurm-buses-to-be-brought-under-kurtc/article6534522.ece|title = All JNNURM buses to be brought under KURTC|date = 26 October 2014|work = The Hindu |access-date = 20 Jan 2015}}</ref>

==Zones==
[[File:Kollam KSRTC Bus Station.jpg|right|thumb|[[Kollam KSRTC bus station|KSRTC Bus Station]] in [[Kollam]]]]
There were 5 KSRTC zones till 2018: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Kozhikode.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/record-collection-for-state-utility/article22407119.ece|title=Record collection for State utility|website=www.thehindu.com|access-date=2020-06-23}}</ref> But it has been reduced to three in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2018/jul/26/ksrtc-opts-for-course-correction-to-now-drive-its-way-in-three-zones-1848666.amp|title=KSRTC opts for course correction to now drive its way in three zones|website=www.newindianexpress.com|access-date=2018-07-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/three-zones-in-ksrtc-from-today/article24505272.ece|title=KSRTC to work in three zones from today|last=Radhakrishnan|first=S. Anil|date=2018-07-24|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-07-31|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/new-zones-to-boost-ksrtc-operations/amp_articleshow/65145071.cms|title='New zones to boost KSRTC operations' - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-07-31|language=en}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders unsortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! scope="col" style="background:Gold;"| Name
! scope="col" style="background:Gold;"| Districts
! scope="col" style="background:Gold;"| Headquarters
|-
|| South
||[[Thiruvananthapuram district|Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Kollam district|Kollam]], [[Pathanamthitta district|Pathanamthitta]]
|| [[Thiruvananthapuram]]
|-
|| Central
||[[Alappuzha district|Alappuzha]], [[Kottayam district|Kottayam]], [[Idukki district|Idukki]], [[Ernakulam district|Ernakulam]], [[Thrissur district|Thrissur]]
|| [[Kochi]]
|-
|| North
||[[Palakkad district|Palakkad]], [[Malappuram district|Malappuram]], [[Kozhikode district|Kozhikkode]], [[Wayanad district|Wayanad]], [[Kannur district|Kannur]], [[Kasaragod district|Kasargod]]
|| [[Kozhikode]]
|}
The Thiruvananthapuram (south) zone, which includes three districts, has more buses. The north zone (which includes six districts) has 945 buses, most long-distance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/amp/news/kerala/now-ksrtc-turns-into-3-independent-zones-kerala-1.3004897|title=Now, KSRTC turns into 3 independent zones{{!}} KSRTC divided into three zones {{!}} Mathrubhumi Online|website=english.mathrubhumi.com|language=en|access-date=2018-07-31}}</ref>

==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.<ref name="keralartc.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.keralartc.com/html/depots.html |title=KeralaSRTC :: Offices |publisher=Keralartc.com |access-date=2018-06-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314023608/http://www.keralartc.com/html/depots.html |archive-date=14 March 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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 [[Ambalappuzha|Ambalapuzha]], [[Ayoor]], Eenchakkal, Ernakulam Jetty, [[Ettumanoor]], [[Iritty]], Kadakkal, Kaliyakkavila, [[Kuthiathode|Kuthiyathode]], [[Malayinkeezhu|Malayilkeezh]], [[Mundakayam|Mundakkayam]], [[Nagercoil|Nagarcoil]], Ochira, [[Pattambi]], Pothencode, Puthenkurishu, [[Tirur]], [[Valanchery]], [[Varkala]], [[Vyttila Mobility Hub|Vytila Hub]], and staff-training colleges in Trivandrum, Ernakulam and Edappal.<ref name="keralartc.com"/>

=={{anchor|Historical Fares}}Fares==
[[File:KSRTC - Kerala Road Transport Corporation - Bus Tickets.jpg|alt=A handful of bus tickets|thumb|Stack of traditional old bus tickets. Today, electronic ticketing machines are used.]]
KSRTC uses a fare-stage system to calculate fares.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.keralartc.com/html/fares.html|title=KSRTC :: Fares|website=www.keralartc.com|access-date=2018-07-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/ksrtc-asked-to-comply-with-fare-stage-rules/article8266369.ece|title=KSRTC asked to comply with fare stage rules|last=Radhakrishnan|first=S. Anil|date=2016-02-22|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-07-31|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders unsortable" style="text-align:center"
|+Fare table
|-
!Service class
!Minimum fare
!Rate per km for travel above minimum fare
|-
|City/Ordinary
|Rs.8
|70 paise
|-
|City Fast
|Rs.10
|75 paise
|-
|Fast Passenger/LSFP
|Rs.14
|75 paise
|-
|Super Fast Passenger
|Rs.32
|78 paise
|-
|Super Express
|Rs.22
|85 paise
|-
|Super Deluxe
|Rs.30
|100 paise
|-
|Luxury/Hi-tech and AC
|Rs.44
|120 paise
|-
|Garuda Sanchari/Biaxle Premium
|Rs.45
|145 paise
|-
|Garuda Maharaja/ Garuda King Class/ Multi-axle Premium
|Rs.90
|145 paise
|-
|A/C Low Floor
|Rs.20
|
|-
|Non A/C Low Floor
|Rs.10
|
|}

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 medias==
KSRTC buses have a wide fan following across the entire state of Kerala.<ref>{{Cite web|last=ഡെസ്ക്|first=അഴിമുഖം|title=വീട്ടുമുറ്റത്തെ ആനവണ്ടി; 'ഒരു കെഎസ്ആര്‍ടിസി പ്രേമം'|url=https://www.azhimukham.com/film-videos/ksrtc-miniature-making-artist-arun-in-wayanad-833353|access-date=2021-03-20|website=Azhimukham|language=en}}</ref> 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 enjoys frequently travelling in these buses.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Anand|first=Shilpa Nair|date=2021-03-15|title=Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses have a dedicated fan following on Instagram|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/kerala-state-road-transport-corporation-buses-with-their-distinct-logo-featuring-two-two-elephants-have-inspired-almost-100-fan-pages/article34075872.ece|access-date=2021-03-20|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Even some incidents have been reported where the passengers request the authority to bring their favourite buses, which was taken to other depots from their existing depots.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Finally, the hardcore KSRTC fan of Erattupetta reveals her identity|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/good-news/finally-the-hardcore-ksrtc-fan-of-erattupetta-reveals-her-identity-kerala-1.2765837|access-date=2021-03-20|website=Mathrubhumi|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Rosmy's 'katta' love for KSRTC bus brings it back to her - The New Indian Express|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2018/apr/25/kerala-a-katta-ksrtc-bus-love-that-went-viral-1805986.amp|access-date=2021-03-20|website=www.newindianexpress.com}}</ref>

KSRTC buses have been featured in many [[Malayalam cinema|Malayalam movies]]. The 2012 film [[Ordinary (film)|Ordinary]]'s main plot is revolving around some incidents happening in a KSRTC bus. Since then, film fraternity started associating KSRTC buses to the culture of Keralites.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Film shoots bring revenue to KSRTC - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/film-shoots-bring-revenue-to-ksrtc/articleshow/57157443.cms|access-date=2021-03-20|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> There is a famous quote from the movie [[Jacobinte Swargarajyam]] about KSRTC buses where the hero states that "one ''[[Malayali]] (Keralite) has to travel in a KSRTC bus to qualify himself as a Malayali".''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Film shoots, a money spinner for debt-ridden KSRTC|url=https://newsable.asianetnews.com/south/film-shoots-revenue-ksrtc|access-date=2021-03-20|website=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd|language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Anand|first=Shilpa Nair|date=2021-02-13|title=Malayalam film ‘Yuvam’ is a dream come true for director Pinku Peter|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/kottayam-based-pharmacist-pinku-peter-turns-director-with-malayalam-film-yuvam/article33830329.ece|access-date=2021-03-20|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

"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 [[Antony Raju]] following the legal battle Kerala won over Karnataka to use the brand KSRTC.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jun 3|first=TNN /|last2=2021|last3=Ist|first3=04:32|title=Brand KSRTC is Kerala’s own {{!}} Thiruvananthapuram News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/brand-ksrtc-is-keralas-own/articleshow/83186148.cms|access-date=2021-06-03|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Kerala Urban Road Transport Corporation]]

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
*[http://www.keralartc.com/ KSRTC Official Website]
*http://www.online.keralartc.com/
*https://www.facebook.com/KeralaStateRoadTransportCorporation/

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite book|title=Mathrubhumi Yearbook Plus - 2019 (Malayalam Edition)|publisher=P. V. Chandran, Managing Editor, Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing Company Limited, Kozhikode|year=2018|location=Kozhikode|last=Chandran |first=VP}}
{{refend}}

{{State agencies of Kerala}}
{{State owned road transport companies in India}}
{{Kerala topics}}
{{Kerala}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Bus companies of India]]
[[Category:Transport in Kerala]]
[[Category:State road transport corporations of India]]
[[Category:State agencies of Kerala]]
[[Category:Companies based in Thiruvananthapuram]]
[[Category:Transport companies established in 1938]]
[[Category:Indian companies established in 1938]]

Bharatpedia - User contributions [en]

Kerala State Road Transport Corporation