KSRTC to introduce online ticketing

Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will become the first hi-tech ticket booking bus transport organisation in the country, when it launches its web-based online reservation system for passengers.

Called 'Avathar', the online ticket booking facility is proposed to take off by December-end or January 1 next. "The prototype and the software are ready. It will be an 'anywhere, anytime' ticket booking facility," said KSRTC director (security & intelligence) Bhaskar Rao in Mysore on Wednesday.

When this facility is launched passengers can book tickets a month in advance. Facility for online cargo booking will also be introduced. Tie-up with hotels is underway for advance online hotel booking as well. In keeping, all the bus stand booking counters will be modelled as 'travel house.'

KSRTC has already introduced electronic ticketing system in 34 out of 52 depots in the State. Other depots will be covered in due course.

The Corporation also stands above other private bus transport organisations by introducing the highest number of 101 Volvo buses on different routes. Sixteen dedicated 'Airavat' Volvo services have been introduced on Bangalore-Mysore route alone operating once an hour from morning till evening.

The recent Rs 2 a litre hike in diesel has burdened KSRTC with an additional Rs 84,000. Inspite of this, it has taken steps to cut its fare on certain routes. Bus fare from the newly opened Bangalore satellite bus stand to Mysore will cost Rs 4 less. For school students' tours, the fare will be reduced by one rupee a km.

Rao was not in favour of reducing journey time on par with private operators operating on common routes as he said KSRTC's prime concern was 'safety of passengers' For this, the speed limits had been blocked in the buses, unlike private operators who can run buses at any speed.

A MoU has been signed with Reliance Plaza for modernising bus stand amenities like toilets, restaurants and shops. Direct buses to Mysore will be introduced from the Bangalore satellite bus stand after the present travellers' strength doubles to 3,000.

Around 500 extra buses, 300 in Mysore and 200 in Bangalore, have been introduced till October 20 to meet the Dasara rush. A public relations office is being set up in Mysore to attend to media, commuter relations and marketing.

'Pick-up and drop' facility and courtesy coach services are also being introduced from different points in Mysore. Special tourist services for Dasara covering tourist places in and around Mysore at concessional fare have already been introduced.

The Mysore division has earned a profit of Rs 82.71 lakh till August last. The average revenue is Rs 28.45 lakh, operating on 1.85 kms carrying 4.62 lakh passengers, of whom 2.44 lakh commute in the city and suburban buses.

KSRTC has acquired 5.23 acres for a new bus depot at Sathagalli in Mysore, divisional controller P Ashok Kumar said.