KSRTC’s Innovative Move: Integrating Farm Produce into Courier Service for Financial Recovery

In a strategic move to navigate its financial crisis, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has unveiled plans to incorporate agricultural produce into its courier service. The corporation, which has recently witnessed a surge in its daily income from the courier service, aims to further enhance its revenue by transporting farmers’ goods. The initial step involves an agreement with farmers’ groups to transport plantains from Wayanad to various markets, with the KSRTC earmarking specific seats in its buses for this purpose. Additionally, there are discussions underway to transport vegetables from Vattavada in Idukki and fish from coastal areas, expanding the scope of the service.

To facilitate this expansion, KSRTC is seeking financial aid from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) to establish cold storage facilities at 48 depots where the courier service operates. The corporation plans to incentivize courier orders by offering a 15% commission to consistent order providers and a 2% commission to its employees. Furthermore, KSRTC’s unique advantage lies in its ability to swiftly transport consignments from Kerala to depots outside the state, such as those in Bengaluru and Chennai, within a remarkable 16-hour timeframe, setting it apart from other courier services in the region.