Kozhikode: The Nava Kerala bus, used by the Chief Minister and Ministers for the Nava Kerala Yatra, will no longer be a VIP bus in the KSRTC fleet. With modifications, it will return to service within two weeks as a Super Deluxe AC bus. The Nava Kerala bus was originally purchased for Rs 16 crore, and now around Rs 10 lakh will be spent on the alterations.
The Nava Kerala bus operated as a Garuda Premium Luxury service from Kozhikode to Bengaluru previously and ran at a loss had 26 seats, which will now be increased to 38. At the back, an area that was earlier designated as a toilet and washing area will be restructured; the toilet will be reduced in size, and additional passenger seating will be arranged there. With the VIP designation removed, the ticket fare now will also be reduced.
The fare from Kozhikode to Bengaluru was Rs 1,171, but now passengers will be able to travel by taking a Swift Super Deluxe AC ticket, which will cost about half that amount. Since the vehicle was originally prepared to accommodate the Chief Minister, a hydraulic lift was installed at the front, and an automatic door was fitted at the rear. It is indicated that the hydraulic lift may also be removed, although this has not been confirmed.
The bus is currently at a BharatBenz body-building workshop in Bengaluru. Before that where it sat idle for about a month since July. Due to low passenger numbers and losses in the service, there was talk of retiring the bus to a museum, which ultimately led t.
