KSRTC discontinues Mangaluru-MIA bus service due to low ridership

The KSRTC low-floor air-conditioned bus service to Mangaluru International Airport (MIA), which commenced in November of last year, has been discontinued, including the service from Manipal. Consequently, Mangaluru International Airport has once again lost its public transport connection. The Volvo service from Mangaluru to MIA was halted in February, and the Manipal service ceased two months ago, primarily due to low passenger numbers, resulting in financial setbacks for the corporation. The Mangaluru KSRTC division had initiated the operation of three Volvo low-floor air-conditioned buses to MIA from both Mangaluru and Manipal in November. However, the Mangaluru service was discontinued in mid-February after 3.5 months of operation, and the service to Manipal was terminated in July. Rajesh Shetty, divisional controller at KSRTC, Mangaluru, explained that the Mangaluru-MIA bus consistently operated with few passengers from the beginning. Despite the division's efforts to promote the service, it failed to attract sufficient ridership, leading to the discontinuation of the Mangaluru service in February. Although the Manipal route had a higher number of passengers, it did not generate the anticipated revenue, eventually leading to its cessation in July. Presently, these buses only operate between Mangaluru and Manipal. Regarding the financial losses, Shetty revealed that each Volvo bus incurred a running cost of Rs 65 per kilometre covered. However, the Mangaluru-MIA bus generated revenue of less than Rs 7 to 8 per kilometre, while the Manipal route generated revenue between Rs 14 and 18 per kilometre.