Thiruvananthapuram, 19 September (H.S.): The Kerala State Transport Authority has decided to introduce mandatory time gaps between bus services from November 1 to curb reckless driving, dangerous overtaking and competition for passengers.

Under the new system, Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and private buses operating on the same route must maintain a minimum interval between services. The stipulated gap will be five minutes on urban routes and 10 minutes in rural areas.

The movement of buses and adherence to schedules will be monitored through GPS-enabled applications and other digital platforms. Authorities expect the system to prevent buses from racing against one another to pick up passengers, a practice that has contributed to road accidents across the state.

Around 7,000 private buses and 4,468 KSRTC buses currently operate in Kerala. Regional Transport Authorities have begun collecting trip schedules from private operators and KSRTC for inclusion in a centralised digital platform.

The information will be fed into specialised software to prepare practical and safe timetables ahead of the system's launch. Digital platforms such as Kerala Bus and Bus Time will provide passengers with real-time information on bus locations and schedules.

Kerala State Bus Operators' Federation general secretary Hamsa Erikkunnan said buses could operate smoothly if services maintained appropriate time gaps and followed properly prepared schedules. He said the arrangement would also help reduce accidents and improve fuel efficiency.

Private bus operators had earlier raised concerns that Regional Transport Authorities failed to consider existing trip intervals while granting new permits, resulting in closely timed services and unhealthy competition.

Officials said KSRTC buses would not be exempted from the regulations as road safety remained the primary objective. However, private operators have expressed concern that rules designed for congested urban routes could adversely affect services in rural areas, where passenger demand, road conditions and operational requirements differ considerably.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman