The Kerala government has approved the use of legislators’ funds to purchase new buses for the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), as part of efforts to modernise its fleet and improve public transport services. The Finance Department issued an order granting special permission under the 2026-27 Legislative Assembly Constituency Asset Development Scheme.

Each MLA will be permitted to purchase a maximum of three buses under the scheme. The approval comes as several KSRTC routes continue to operate with buses that have exceeded their service life, causing operational difficulties and affecting passenger services in various parts of the state.

The seating capacity, body type and fuel category of the buses will be finalised in consultation with KSRTC. Routes will also be planned according to passenger requirements in each constituency and surrounding areas, allowing the new vehicles to be deployed where demand and service needs are greatest.

The order requires MLAs to submit details to the KSRTC managing director by September 30. The submission must include the total cost of the buses, covering taxes, registration charges and other related expenses. These conditions are intended to provide clarity on procurement and ensure that the funds are used for the approved purpose.

Once the scheme is implemented across Kerala’s 140 constituencies, around 400 new buses are expected to be added to the KSRTC fleet. The government views the measure as a way to address some of the corporation’s fleet-related challenges, while replacing old and overaged buses is expected to support more reliable public transport services. The final specifications and deployment plans will be determined with KSRTC’s involvement.