In a bid to promote sustainable public transport, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has reintroduced electric buses under the Smart City Electric Arrangement system on the roads of Thiruvananthapuram. The first service was flagged off by Mayor VV Rajesh from Kulasekharam of Kodunganoor ward on Saturday, February 7. The mayor and other councillors of the ward were the first travellers on the bus.

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Here Are Electric Bus Routes Of Thiruvananthapuram 

  • In the first phase, the councillors have proposed to run 23 bus services covering major parts of the state capital.
  • The electric buses will run on the Kulasekharam-Kodunganoor-Thittamangalam-Kundamankadav-Kuruvikkad route.
  • Currently, two buses are running on this route.
  • The services will cover both old and new routes as suggested by the councillor.
  • Another service is in the pipeline for connecting Plavodu-Vattiyoorkavu-Shastamangalam -Kizhakke Kotta (East Fort).
  • Services are also expected to start between the Alathara and the Valiyathura wards.
  • Initially, the bus services connected Valiyavila, Thirumala, Kodunganoor and Vattiyoorkavu wards. 

 

KSRTC’s Smart City Project

KSRTC’s Smart City Project is an urban mobility initiative aimed at modernising public transport in select cities of Kerala, with a strong focus on sustainability, efficiency, and last-mile connectivity. Implemented in coordination with urban local bodies and Smart City missions, the project primarily introduced electric buses into city fleets to reduce emissions and operating costs while improving passenger comfort.

Under the initiative, KSRTC plans to deploy electric buses for circular and feeder services, especially on inner-city and side roads where conventional buses are less viable. These services were designed to decongest city centres, enhance connectivity to major transit hubs, and promote the use of clean energy in public transport. The project also included upgraded depots, charging infrastructure, and intelligent transport systems for better fleet management.

The plan had received a major administrative roadblock when K B Ganesh Kumar took charge as a minister. However, following the BJP’s assumption of the office, the key demand was the reinstatement of electric buses, which is now taking place in a phased manner.