'Loss-making' KSRTC now hit with coronavirus

Mangaluru: Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation’s (KSRTC) services and revenue in coastal Karnataka had been hit for over a year and now the novel coronavirus shutdowns have now caused further blows to it.

April-June and October months are the profit consolidation period for the Corporation due to the increase in vacation travellers. However, the shutdowns have largely dented this stream of revenue.

There has been a 40 per cent drop in passengers in the Mangaluru division after the COVID-19 scare started.

Earlier landslides in the Charmadi and Shiradi ghats had resulted in the stoppage of services to Bengaluru and Mysuru causing loses up to Rs 1.10 crores.

The curfew imposed after the anti-CAA riots in the city had also caused loses of Rs 1.20 crores.

Between March 1 an 15 the losses in the districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi were almost Rs 70 lakhs. Mangaluru division alone has suffered losses of Rs 55.8 lakhs and Puttur division Rs 13.12 lakhs.

Buses from Mangaluru, Udupi and Kundapura to other parts of Karnataka used to bring in more than Rs 70 lakhs every day, especially during weekends. Since the COVID-19 scare, each day is causing a loss of Rs 20 lakhs.