Wi-Fi and low floor -new trend in private buses
While Kerala State Road Transport Corporation struggles to recover from its huge loss, private buses are introducing innovative methods to attract maximum passengers and it becomes success, according to bus operators. Wi-Fi set up is the new trend in private buses in Kozhikode.
Wi-Fi facility was firstly introduced in a private bus,Anooch running between Kannur and Kozhikode and now many other bus operators are following suit to bring in high tech trips.
Conductor is normally busy with handling passengers by issuing tickets and collecting money. Here it’s more than that. Some tech savvy passengers are asking for Wi-Fi password too.
“Did you get it connected?” the conductor ensures a passenger’s status after sharing the password.
By then, another one asks “can you repeat the password?” He turns to that guy.
Conductor’s role became more interactive and friendly with passengers.
“We have got very good response from passengers.”-says Usama K.M, owner of the bus.
“I got this idea from my friend who is working in a ship. When he shared it, I thought something new is really good.”
“Once it implemented just two weeks before, it became a hit among smart phone and tab users who travel for long distance.”-he says.
“Now people are travelling busy and this facility helps to save their time by checking mails and reading news online.”-Usama points out the importance.
“I have been in the bus service sector for the last 22 years. This is our new bus among the two we have and we will soon introduce this facility to other bus also.”
“Bus service doesn’t become a loss if you manage it carefully. The equal involvement of the owner is a positive aspect. I work as driver and conductor, if situation demands. Otherwise, I travel and manage its trips.”
“However, if you run a bus service and looking your business in the gulf country,
it doesn’t work, well.” certifies Usama of Eranhipalam in Kozhikode.
However Suresh.P, conductor of another private bus, Three Star plying service between Kozhikode and Palakkad says that the number of Wi-Fi users is increasing day by day and mostly students and youngsters utilize this service during long journey.
“Our monthly quota limits are exceeding for the last few days.”-Suresh adds.
It is also interested to engage in conversation with passengers while many ask for passwords more than once.”-he said.
New generation people are not only looking for comfortable seats, music alone for travel. They are also checking for Wi-Fi display, somewhere on the glasses, before boarding for a long journey.
Karuvans, another bus carries out service between Kozhikode and Kannur also offer Wi-Fi service for passengers.
Both of these buses are linked to a private telecom company as monthly plan for data use.
Other notable change in this industry is the arrival of low- floor buses between Kannur and Ernakulam.
K.S.R.T.C had introduced low-floor buses between Kozhiode and Ernakulam,but after few months it withdrew services.
