KSRTC has introduced guidelines for bus sponsorship, allowing individuals, institutions and companies to support new buses and improve rural connectivity.
KSRTC Bus Sponsorship Scheme: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has introduced guidelines allowing individuals, institutions and organisations to sponsor buses as part of an initiative aimed at improving public transport connectivity in rural areas and replacing ageing vehicles in its fleet.
Under the KSRTC bus sponsorship scheme, local self-government bodies, cooperative institutions, companies, trusts, social organisations, clubs and business establishments can contribute buses or provide financial support for their purchase. Companies can also utilise Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for the initiative.
What Types of Buses Can Be Sponsored?
The scheme allows sponsorship of several categories of buses. These include AC premium buses measuring between 9 and 15 metres, AC seater and sleeper buses, super-fast services and fast passenger buses.
Sponsors can either purchase a bus directly and hand it over to KSRTC or transfer the required amount to the corporation. In cases where financial assistance is provided instead of a vehicle, KSRTC will purchase the bus through its prescribed tender process.
The KSRTC bus sponsorship scheme is expected to provide an additional avenue for strengthening the corporation’s fleet without placing the entire financial burden on the public transport utility.
Sponsored Buses Will Become KSRTC Assets
According to the guidelines, buses received through sponsorship will be registered in the name of the KSRTC Managing Director. Once handed over, the vehicles will become permanent assets of the corporation.
KSRTC will retain complete administrative and operational control over these buses. This includes responsibility for vehicle maintenance, insurance, collection of ticket revenue and appointment of employees.
Sponsors, therefore, will not have direct control over the day-to-day operation of the buses after they become part of the KSRTC fleet.
Routes Can Be Suggested by Sponsors
The KSRTC bus sponsorship scheme also provides scope for sponsors to suggest routes where the sponsored vehicles could be deployed.
If the proposed route is intended to replace an existing KSRTC service, arrangements will be made accordingly. However, proposals for entirely new services will be considered subject to certain conditions.
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For a new route to be introduced, support for fuel expenses and the required infrastructure must be arranged with the assistance of local bodies. This condition is intended to ensure that new services remain operationally viable.
CSR Funds Can Be Used for Sponsorship
One of the key features of the initiative is the participation of companies through their CSR programmes. Businesses can contribute towards buses as part of their social responsibility activities, while local organisations and institutions can also support public transport in their respective areas.
The KSRTC bus sponsorship scheme could particularly benefit rural communities where transport connectivity remains a challenge and where older buses may need to be replaced.
Focus on Better Rural Transport
KSRTC’s initiative comes amid efforts to improve the availability and quality of public transportation across Kerala. Sponsorship of new buses could help the corporation modernise portions of its fleet while expanding connectivity in areas that require better public transport services.
Under the guidelines, the KSRTC bus sponsorship scheme gives public bodies, private organisations and individuals an opportunity to contribute directly to strengthening the state’s public transport infrastructure.
The initiative could also create a model where community participation, CSR funding and government-backed public transport operations work together to address connectivity gaps and support the replacement of ageing KSRTC buses.
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