KSRTC Expands Courier Service to Deliver Farm Produce, Bolsters Revenue

In a strategic move aimed at alleviating its ongoing financial crisis, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has unveiled plans to diversify its courier service by incorporating agricultural produce into its operations. Presently, the daily revenue generated by the corporation’s courier service, initiated just four months ago, has exceeded the noteworthy mark of Rs 1 lakh. This initiative to ferry farmers’ produce using passenger buses is part of a grander vision, with the objective of boosting daily earnings to Rs 15 lakh.

To commence this venture, the corporation has entered into a collaboration with various farmers’ groups, with a primary focus on transporting plantains from Wayanad to diverse markets, including those located in Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram. The transportation cost for each kilogram of produce amounts to Rs 5. Furthermore, farmer associations have approached KSRTC to transport vegetables from Vattavada in Idukki to markets in various destinations. Initially, the plan involves allocating the last two or three seats on buses for transporting the produce, with the intention of transitioning to the utilization of the corporation’s dedicated vans for this purpose. Similar plans are in place to transport seafood from coastal regions to different parts of the state.

In order to facilitate the expansion of this initiative, KSRTC has sought financial support from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) to establish cold storage facilities at 48 depots where courier services are available. To incentivize and promote consistent courier orders, the corporation is proposing a 15% commission for individuals who consistently bring in orders, while employees of the corporation will receive a 2% commission. Currently, courier consignments are limited to transportation to depots, but discussions are underway with a startup company to facilitate doorstep deliveries for consignees.

One of KSRTC’s distinctive advantages over other courier services lies in its ability to transport consignments from Kerala to depots located outside the state, including those in Bengaluru and Chennai, within a remarkable time frame of just 16 hours. This unique capability enhances its competitive edge in the courier service industry.