The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is testing its new Superfast Premium AC buses, designed to provide a more luxurious travel experience with pushback seats (excluding the last row) and higher fares compared to regular Superfast buses.
Trial and Adjustments:
- The new buses are currently in a trial phase to evaluate their performance before full deployment.
- KSRTC will collect passenger feedback and make necessary adjustments before launching regular services.
Features:
- 40-passenger seating capacity.
- Pushback seats for enhanced comfort (excluding the last row).
- Removable side windows in case of AC failure.
Fares and Ticketing:
- The Superfast Premium buses will have higher fares than regular Superfast buses.
- Passengers can board at non-designated stops for an additional booking fee of 10 rupees.
- Boarding location via Google Maps must be provided during booking.
Limited Stops and Volvo Redeployment:
- These new buses will operate only from major KSRTC depots.
- Existing Volvo low-floor AC buses will be reassigned to city services.
Fleet Procurement:
- KSRTC plans to acquire a total of 220 Superfast Premium buses.
- The initial phase includes procuring 48 buses from Tata and Leyland, each costing between 3.6 and 3.8 million rupees.