Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is witnessing a remarkable turnaround, with its budget tourism initiative emerging as a major revenue booster, Transport Minister K. B. Ganesh Kumar informed the Kerala Legislative Assembly.
The minister said budget tourism, which earlier generated around ₹1 crore per month, has seen a dramatic rise in earnings. Between 2021 and 2023, KSRTC earned between ₹1 crore and ₹1.25 crore monthly through the scheme. The momentum picked up sharply in recent months, with ₹4.5 crore earned last month and an even higher ₹5.5 crore recorded this month.
Significantly, the minister revealed that ₹65 lakh of the January revenue was net profit, underlining KSRTC’s improving financial health. “KSRTC is changing fast, with substantial growth in revenue,” he told the House.
Apart from tourism, KSRTC is expanding its income streams through advertising, the minister said. He noted that advertisements on the exterior of buses are currently held up due to legal issues, but once cleared, they are expected to generate crores of rupees.
To further strengthen finances, the corporation has begun leasing out its vacant shop spaces. Tenders have already been issued for 101 shops, while 56 more are in the tendering process.
KSRTC has also launched driving schools to train skilled drivers and generate additional income. As per figures from three months ago, the driving schools recorded a profit of ₹2.87 crore, and 22 driving schools are currently operational across the state.
The minister said these initiatives mark a decisive shift in KSRTC’s functioning, positioning it as a self-sustaining, revenue-focused public transport enterprise.
