Puttur: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Puttur division has received 40 new buses allotted by the State Transport Department, with the vehicles distributed among various depots and already deployed on different routes.
However, the addition of the new buses is unlikely to result in a substantial increase in the number of services operated by the division. Around 30 existing buses are scheduled to be withdrawn by the end of March after completing their prescribed service period. As a result, most of the newly allotted vehicles will primarily replace buses being phased out.
The new buses are expected to help the division maintain its existing fleet strength and ensure continuity of services on routes currently operated by older vehicles.
Puttur division operates 562 buses
The Puttur division currently operates around 562 buses across its depots, serving approximately 510 schedules.
As per transport norms, the division is required to maintain buses equivalent to an additional 8% of the total number of schedules as reserve capacity. With several older vehicles due for retirement, the arrival of 40 new buses will therefore provide only limited scope for introducing additional services.
The replacement of ageing buses is expected to improve fleet reliability and reduce the pressure caused by vehicles that have completed their prescribed operational life.
40 buses distributed among depots
The 40 new ordinary buses allotted to the Puttur division comprise different configurations.
Of the total, 10 are front-door buses, 10 are rear-door buses, 16 are double-door buses and four are Pallakki buses.
The distribution of the vehicles among the depots is as follows:
- Puttur depot: 10 buses
- Dharmasthala depot: 6 buses
- BC Road depot: 9 buses
- Sullia depot: 5 buses
- Madikeri depot: Remaining 10 buses
Some of the buses allotted to the Madikeri depot will subsequently be shifted to the newly opening Kushalnagar depot, which is being established under the Puttur division.
Older buses to be scrapped
With the induction of new buses, vehicles that have completed more than 15 years of service will be withdrawn and sent for scrapping in accordance with Transport Department regulations.
The older buses will be phased out in a planned manner, with a specified number scheduled to be withdrawn every month.
By the end of March, the division expects to scrap eight buses from Puttur, three from Dharmasthala, five from BC Road, 11 from Madikeri and two from Sullia.
The withdrawal of these buses means that the new vehicles will largely compensate for the reduction in the existing fleet rather than result in a major expansion of the number of services.
No electric buses yet
The state government has plans to maintain a 50:50 ratio of diesel and electric buses across its divisions. However, diesel buses continue to play an important role, particularly on long-distance routes where electric buses are currently not considered suitable for operational requirements.
Although announcements have been made for some time regarding the allotment of electric buses to the Puttur division, no electric buses have been received so far.
The division continues to rely primarily on diesel-powered buses to operate its existing network, including longer-distance services connecting different parts of the region.
Kushalnagar depot expected to open soon
Preparations are also under way to establish a new KSRTC depot at Kushalnagar under the Puttur division. Operations at the new depot are expected to begin shortly.
The proposed depot will require around 38 buses to operate approximately 35 schedules.
According to department sources, the required fleet will be arranged through a combination of the newly received buses, vehicles currently operating under the Puttur division and buses sourced from other KSRTC divisions.
The establishment of the Kushalnagar depot is expected to strengthen the corporation’s operational network in the region and facilitate the introduction of services from the new facility.
New buses already operating
Most of the newly received buses have already been deployed on various routes under the Puttur division.
Speaking about the development, Haribabu, Divisional Controller of KSRTC Puttur division, said around 40 new buses had arrived and were allotted to the depots under the division.
“Most of the buses have already started operating on various routes,” he said.
The induction of the new fleet comes as the division prepares to retire older buses in accordance with the prescribed regulations. While the immediate priority is to replace ageing vehicles and maintain existing services, the new buses could also provide some flexibility for operational requirements once the fleet transition is completed.
With the Puttur division simultaneously preparing for the opening of the Kushalnagar depot, the coming months are expected to involve significant fleet redistribution. However, the retirement of around 30 older buses means that passengers may not see a proportionate increase in the number of services despite the arrival of the new vehicles.