KTC adds 50 new buses to its fleet, all on interstate routes

Panaji: The Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC) has inducted 50 new diesel buses into its fleet to strengthen interstate services and is gradually replacing aging vehicles that have been running for nearly 15 years on popular routes connecting Goa to neighbouring states.The new buses include 30-seater AC sleeper coaches, 54-seater semi-luxury buses, and 45-seater luxury coaches. They have already been deployed on at least 10 routes across Karnataka and Maharashtra, besides one connection on the existing route to Hyderabad.“A lot of buses operating on these interstate routes are nearly 15 years old and due for condemnation. They will be slowly phased out and scrapped,” a KTC official said.

“The corporation also plans to scrap over 100 additional old buses in the next two years. These too will be replaced with new vehicles, which will be used to strengthen local and intrastate services.”Additionally, KTC is introducing a new luxury and semi-luxury service from Panaji to Kolhapur, expanding its interstate network and restoring some routes that became irregular due to a lack of fit buses. KTC has a fleet of over 450 diesel-operated buses. While the corporation is ambitiously transitioning towards adopting electric vehicles in its fleet, there are not enough charging stations in the state, with KTC’s buses being charged only at three locations: Margao, Campal, and Porvorim. Until there are enough charging stations, KTC intends to bridge the gap by taking private diesel-run buses under its wings.“Our goal is to provide safe, comfortable, and reliable services for passengers travelling long distances. Phasing out the old fleet and bringing in modern buses will improve our service quality,” the official said.