Thiruvananthapuram: In a move set to make long-distance bus journeys more comfortable and convenient, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will soon offer hot meals from popular food chain Chicking onboard its long-route services. Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar announced that passengers will be able to order food directly from their seats and receive it en route.
Under an agreement between KSRTC and Chicking, travellers can place orders by scanning a QR code displayed inside the bus. The menu and details of the nearest outlet will appear on their phones, and the food will be delivered in packed form when the bus reaches a bus stand or a Chicking outlet along the route. A dedicated website for food bookings is also set to be launched shortly.
The service will be rolled out initially on five Super Class services and budget tourism trips, with plans to gradually expand it to other long-distance KSRTC buses. To make the offering more attractive, meals will be priced at 25% lower than regular market rates.
KSRTC will earn 5% of the sales revenue from the partnership, while passengers will benefit from access to food from 140 Chicking outlets located along national and state highways. The agreement also ensures free meals for bus drivers and conductors when buses stop at Chicking outlets.
The initiative is expected to significantly enhance the travel experience for long-distance passengers while opening up a new revenue stream for KSRTC.
