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| Circle Route Bus - Where and When will Can I get a ride? |
With much fanfare, trial run, and publicity, city circular bus was introduced in Trivandrum city. It looks like the intention is good. But, is it sustainable for KSRTC?
I feel KSRTC is losing money from Circle Bus on a daily basis. Any doubts about it?
There are two ways of knowing the truth.
Simple way of knowing it by seeing it for yourself. All that I have seen are half empty bus going around the city. If that's not enough, you can file a RTI application to know exact number from ticket sales!
Why Hop-on Hop-off Bus Route is Loosing Money?
FM Radio ads about Red Circle bus says how a commuter can hop into this bus, then get down and then catch the next bus. All for just Rs 10. Sounds good and rosy. But, in reality, people don't just wait indefinitely to catch a circle bus. They will get in any other bus that comes their way.
Solution to Make Red Bus, Profitable? Make it Predictable and Visible!
I had written about this App thing many years ago, now I'm bringing back the same GPS mobile app topic. I strongly believe that a versatile mobile app for KSRTC would solve many issues for the transport company. Also, it will be useful for tracking routes, improving productivity and profits for the corporation.
LIVE LOCATION of BUS Using KSRTC APP
An Ticket booking and tracking App will be useful for passengers in many ways.
It's high-time that KSRTC should take step to make such an app with these features and more
1. A commuter can use the app to see the current location of the bus, the expected arrival time.
2. For convenience, the bus on the app will be color coded for easy identification
3. App will show the route map, stops, fare, stops at each depot and occupancy, etc
4. App will use the smart phone with the driver to track its movement in real time
5. For long distance bus, passengers can know route options, stop-over time, etc
Why KSRTC need such an App! Note from my Recent Experience
I was going from Perithalmanna to Malapuram in a KSRTC bus. During the trip, a private bus overtook our bus. And, this triggered our bus driver. He them chased and overtook the private bus, taking unwanted risk in this narrow road. Why all the fuss?
After seeing this kind of rage driving, I told the conductor of this empty bus about an App which will allow commuters to see the bus on the app. So, instead of using speed tactics, KSRTC bus can go peacefully knowing well that a private bus won't be able to take all his commuters. The power will be with the commuter. The people waiting in any bus stand can look at the App and know when the next bus is reaching.
In the world with such App, the loyalty will reward the bus service provider. The question is will a passenger wait to catch a KSRTC bus?
Another story!
Let me tell another experience. I was at Malappuram depot around 8:30 PM with the intention to reach Angadipurm to catch the Trivandrum train at 10:15 PM. There were around 20 or so passengers who were going in that route. As time ticked beyond 9PM I was getting anxious whether I will able to reach the station in time.
All the while KSRTC depot was dimly lit, making it look dark and uninviting. All the people were at the entrance of the stand to catch whichever bus comes our way. And, in that wait a private bus to Trichur came rushing to our stop. It was already packed and now it had belly full with all us pushing and shoving inside. As I got it, I could see the sparkle of joy in the eyes of private bus killi and two other smart young ticket fellas.
The way this private bus swept clean the commuters and I'm sure, there would be a KSRTC bus just behind us. But how on earth can we know when it will reach. I was in mood to take a chance.
Why Hop-on Hop-off Bus Route is Loosing Money?
FM Radio ads about Red Circle bus says how a commuter can hop into this bus, then get down and then catch the next bus. All for just Rs 10. Sounds good and rosy. But, in reality, people don't just wait indefinitely to catch a circle bus. They will get in any other bus that comes their way.
Solution to Make Red Bus, Profitable? Make it Predictable and Visible!
I had written about this App thing many years ago, now I'm bringing back the same GPS mobile app topic. I strongly believe that a versatile mobile app for KSRTC would solve many issues for the transport company. Also, it will be useful for tracking routes, improving productivity and profits for the corporation.
LIVE LOCATION of BUS Using KSRTC APP
An Ticket booking and tracking App will be useful for passengers in many ways.
It's high-time that KSRTC should take step to make such an app with these features and more
1. A commuter can use the app to see the current location of the bus, the expected arrival time.
2. For convenience, the bus on the app will be color coded for easy identification
3. App will show the route map, stops, fare, stops at each depot and occupancy, etc
4. App will use the smart phone with the driver to track its movement in real time
5. For long distance bus, passengers can know route options, stop-over time, etc
Why KSRTC need such an App! Note from my Recent Experience
I was going from Perithalmanna to Malapuram in a KSRTC bus. During the trip, a private bus overtook our bus. And, this triggered our bus driver. He them chased and overtook the private bus, taking unwanted risk in this narrow road. Why all the fuss?
After seeing this kind of rage driving, I told the conductor of this empty bus about an App which will allow commuters to see the bus on the app. So, instead of using speed tactics, KSRTC bus can go peacefully knowing well that a private bus won't be able to take all his commuters. The power will be with the commuter. The people waiting in any bus stand can look at the App and know when the next bus is reaching.
In the world with such App, the loyalty will reward the bus service provider. The question is will a passenger wait to catch a KSRTC bus?
Another story!
Let me tell another experience. I was at Malappuram depot around 8:30 PM with the intention to reach Angadipurm to catch the Trivandrum train at 10:15 PM. There were around 20 or so passengers who were going in that route. As time ticked beyond 9PM I was getting anxious whether I will able to reach the station in time.
All the while KSRTC depot was dimly lit, making it look dark and uninviting. All the people were at the entrance of the stand to catch whichever bus comes our way. And, in that wait a private bus to Trichur came rushing to our stop. It was already packed and now it had belly full with all us pushing and shoving inside. As I got it, I could see the sparkle of joy in the eyes of private bus killi and two other smart young ticket fellas.
The way this private bus swept clean the commuters and I'm sure, there would be a KSRTC bus just behind us. But how on earth can we know when it will reach. I was in mood to take a chance.
Also, as expected there was zero effort from any of the KSRTC staff in this depot to tell the crowd that another KSRTC bus is on the way. Well, such behavior is not expected by the way it is.
What if a smart phone showed us where the next bus is reaching?
Live Tracking App for Low-Floor Volvo Bus
The app can work or could be introduced in different levels. I think, this App should be first introduced in Volvo bus. If this succeeds, then they can introduced to other routes in a phased manner.
What if a smart phone showed us where the next bus is reaching?
Live Tracking App for Low-Floor Volvo Bus
The app can work or could be introduced in different levels. I think, this App should be first introduced in Volvo bus. If this succeeds, then they can introduced to other routes in a phased manner.
Before pandemic, I used to think of this App for Low-floor Volvo bus. I have seen one such bus which passed by Kumarapuram and goes to Kovalam beach. Just imagine, if there was some way to knowing when a Kovalam bus would pass by at this time and in this stop! Is it too much to wish for in the age of Olas and Swiggy?
Is it expensive to Create an App and Introduce GPS in Bus
Creating an App won't be easy, but it can be done. If money or resources is short, then they can ask private companies like TATA or Infosys or even Google to help them with this project. These private companies even would be willing to create an App for free, provided there's some other consideration for them. This is for the KSRTC management to work it out.
Does any other Transport Corporation in India have a Live Bus Tracking App?
I'm not aware of any such app. If there's such an App that's used, then it can be used as a reference for study. If none of the corporation has an App, then KSRTC can go ahead and get the name for the first corporation to start one.
Support KSRTC App and Support Salary Hike of KSRTC Employees!
and Productivity Improvement for KSRTC
If you like this idea, pls share it to KSRTC decision makers. Let's do whatever it takes to make KSRTC become more profitable and predictable.
Is it expensive to Create an App and Introduce GPS in Bus
Creating an App won't be easy, but it can be done. If money or resources is short, then they can ask private companies like TATA or Infosys or even Google to help them with this project. These private companies even would be willing to create an App for free, provided there's some other consideration for them. This is for the KSRTC management to work it out.
Does any other Transport Corporation in India have a Live Bus Tracking App?
I'm not aware of any such app. If there's such an App that's used, then it can be used as a reference for study. If none of the corporation has an App, then KSRTC can go ahead and get the name for the first corporation to start one.
Support KSRTC App and Support Salary Hike of KSRTC Employees!
and Productivity Improvement for KSRTC
If you like this idea, pls share it to KSRTC decision makers. Let's do whatever it takes to make KSRTC become more profitable and predictable.
