No New Buses – KSRTC Will Refurbish its Airavat Fleet
KSRTC News Update: KSRTC will refurbish its Airavat fleet transforming them into nearly new vehicles. This initiative follows the successful refurbishment of 1,027 Karnataka Sarige buses since 2022, effectively giving these older vehicles a new lease on life.
The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is initiating the refurbishment of four Airavat and Airavat Club Class buses, transforming them into nearly new vehicles.
This move is part of a broader effort, which has already successfully refurbished 1,027 Karnataka Sarige buses since 2022, revitalizing these older buses and extending their operational lifespan.
“If the refurbishment of the Airavat buses is successful, we plan to extend this program to our entire fleet of premium buses,” a KSRTC official was quoted saying by the Hindu.
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Why KSRTC Will Refurbish Its Airavat Fleet Instead of Buying New Buses?
KSRTC will refurbish its Airavat fleet instead of purchasing new buses is driven by cost savings, proven success with previous refurbishments, and the need to manage increased demand efficiently
While purchasing a new Volvo bus costs around Rs 1.5 crore, refurbishing an existing bus to a near-new condition costs only about Rs 3 lakh. This significant cost difference makes refurbishment a much more economical option.
Since 2022, KSRTC has successfully refurbished 1,027 Karnataka Sarige buses, giving them a new lease on life and proving the effectiveness of the refurbishment strategy.
The success with Sarige buses has encouraged KSRTC to extend this strategy to its premium Airavat and Airavat Club Class, aiming for similar improvements in service and longevity.
The implementation of the Shakti scheme in Karnataka has led to increased demand for public transport. Refurbishing buses allows KSRTC to quickly and cost-effectively expand its fleet to meet this demand.
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Selection of Buses and The Refurbishment Process
KSRTC Officials noted that buses around 10 years old and with over 10 lakh kilometers will selected. Typically, engines are well-maintained and do not need replacement unless in exceptional cases.
The refurbishment process of the Airavat buses will be similar to the Karnataka Sarige buses.
These buses will be completely disassembled, leaving only the chassis intact. Every component, from seats to windows, will be replaced, and the body will be rebuilt.
The refurbished KSRTC buses will also equipped with modern features, making them comparable to new buses in terms of comfort and safety.
While buses generally serve for 15 years before decommissioning, those selected for refurbishment are only 10 years old.
“If the refurbishment of the Airavat buses proves successful, we plan to refurbish the entire fleet of premium buses,” the official added. “This initiative ensures enhanced efficiency and a longer service life for the buses, aligning with KSRTC’s commitment to providing quality transport services,” he added.
