Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah launches 20 new luxury Volvo buses, Shivakumar says govt may review Shakti scheme

The modern design features a 15-metre length and increased passenger space, with a 2×2 seating configuration for 51 passengers. Additional highlights are:

• Advanced air conditioning.
• USB and C-type mobile charging points.
• Enhanced safety systems with rear fog lights and a Fire Alarm and Protection System (FAPS) equipped with water nozzles for emergencies.

In conjunction with the launch, KSRTC distributed Sarige Suraksha accident relief cheques of Rs 1 crore each to the families of two deceased employees and welfare compensation to families affected by non-accident-related fatalities. KSRTC currently serves 34.92 lakh passengers daily across 8,849 vehicles.

The KSRTC has also refurbished older vehicles to accommodate increased post-COVID demand. To date, 1,150 buses have been refurbished, including six high-end Volvos that can now serve up to an additional 4 lakh km.

KSRTC has also launched a recruitment drive to fill 9,000 positions across its divisions, including drivers, conductors, and technical staff. (Express)

The government has approved the addition of 5,800 new buses across the four transport corporations in the state. Over the past year, 3,417 buses have already been introduced. This expansion aims to improve service quality and increase coverage throughout Karnataka, particularly in light of the Shakti scheme.

KSRTC has also launched a recruitment drive to fill 9,000 positions across its divisions, including drivers, conductors, and technical staff. So far, 1,883 employees have been recruited, and the remaining positions will be filled shortly.

Meanwhile, in an interesting development, Shivakumar said the government may review the Shakti scheme as women had expressed their ability to buy bus tickets. One of the Congress’s poll guarantees, the scheme allows women to travel for free on non-premium state-run buses throughout Karnataka. “Many women are informing us through tweets and emails that they can buy tickets and do not need free travel. We will discuss this matter,” said Shivakuamar.

The Shakti scheme aims to enhance women’s mobility and safety and encourage public transportation. Since its implementation, over 317.18 crore women have benefited from travelling on state transport vehicles without fare, with a cumulative zero-ticket value amounting to Rs 7,656.33 crore. The scheme has significantly increased the share of women passengers to 58.10 per cent.

In addition to boosting ridership, the Shakti scheme has led to a notable rise in KSRTC’s daily operations. Previously, an average of 82.51 lakh passengers used Karnataka’s transport services each day; after its implementation, this number has surged to 108.09 lakh. The number of daily trips across Karnataka’s four transport corporations has also increased, from 1,58,909 to 1,72,333 trips, adding 13,424 daily trips to meet the higher demand.