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Setting sights on KSRTC, what say?
Written By silkboard - 27 August, 2010
Bangalore Praja Bus KSRTC Citizen Reports engagement Transportation public transport
We have discussed BMTC a lot. Tons of suggestions, some of which have gone in. Some of us here helped create the Bus Day event. We pulled lots of data out on their operations. etc etc. Wanted to check if we can set our sights on KSRTC now.
We have primarily been a Bangalore web site. Any BMTC issue will find critics and backers in no time. But KSRTC is different. Not much scrutiny, not that much interest, at least on the internet. Their operations have wider reach, and criticism or suggestions could have larger impact.
While we were dissecting BMTC over last 2-3 years, KSRTC has built a sizable e-tickets portal which could soon get a map based route search, it is getting lauded for using bio-deisel, and is trying to build intra-city services in several tier-2 cities of the state.
But yeah, wouldn't you expect KSRTC to put out only good peices of news on themselves. There may be issues there as well - biased connectivity, last mile issues (at a little larger level), overdone focus on connecting Bangalore over regional hubs, overused buses for lower tier services, badly planned hubs like TTMC - we will have to make things up for now as we just don't know enough about KSRTC.
Also, unlike for BMTC, KSRTC does have private buses for competition. How is that working out for road transport market? Is competition pushing KSRTC to do better? If yes, then do the numbers and operational stats show that? Does the competition have a level playing field?
How about we take a break from BMTC, and train the "guns" on KSRTC to see how it goes :) They are fairly open (like BMTC too has been), and will share info on themselves without requiring tons of useless RTIs (as is the case with BDA, Railways).
COMMENTS
Murali, you are late by a year!
kbsyed61 - 27 August, 2010 - 08:57
Murali,
Looks like you missed the PRAJA post on KSRTC Mysore's Intelligent transport system.
http://praja.in/en/blog/kbsyed61/2009/07/31/project-report-intelligent-transport-system-ksrtc-mysore
This project report was prepared by Central Institute of Road Transport, Pune.
-Syed
silkboard - 27 August, 2010 - 03:33
When private operators are allowed, a first and fair question for a newbie (like me) to ask is - why does KSRTC exist in the first place, as in what's its purpose in life, welfare, business or something else?
- Does it operate with a welfare focus - to connect places that private operators won't?
- Does it exist to push as well as regulate private players?
- Is bus transportation not a big and sustainable business to get quality and large bus operators, thus keeping a place for KSRTC?
- What rules and restrictions exist for inter-city bus operators today?
I would want to understand these very basic :existence" questions first. Wonder if Mr Gupta himself can leave a few comments or a leading post to spur some interest in KSRTC within Praja community.
I have lot of issues to be explained on KSRTC
Vasanth - 27 August, 2010 - 04:48
Well, I have hundreds of issues to be expressed on KSRTC, but not much attention was drawn here. I used to send mails to news papers. Sent mails to ksrtc, no replies at all like we get response from BMTC.
First and foremost thing is the fare, lobbying factor etc..
Will write in detail in this thread.
Bheema.Upadhyaya - 27 August, 2010 - 06:41
I suggest KSRTC also to make data available to Google Transit, which will help lots of common(and planning personalities). I am ready to collaborate with KSRTC for that. Again if they do, they will be first in India I believe.
Lunch break during KSRTC bus journey
Bheema.Upadhyaya - 16 September, 2010 - 03:43
I have seen people complaining that KSRTC drivers have some set-up with local hotel owners and thus passengers are forced to have lunch in non-standard hotels and during odd times. Does KSRTC have any published process to select hotels, food quality, break time, certification etc?
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