KSRTC discontinues Mangaluru-MIA bus service due to low ridership
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

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.

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.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

DCPC Prepares for Special Campaign 5.0 with Focus on E-Waste

The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, is gearing up for Special Campaign 5.0, to be held from 2nd to 31st October 2025. The initiative will focus on e-waste disposal as per MoEFCC’s E-Waste Management Rules 2022, space optimisation, and enhancing workplace efficiency across field offices.Special Campaign 4.0, conducted between October 2023 and October 2024, delivered notable results in record management, grievance redressal, scrap disposal, and cleanliness drives.Key outcomes of Special Campaign 4.0Records management: 2,443 physical fil..

Next Story
Real Estate

BlackRock India Leases 1.4 Lakh Sq Ft in Bengaluru

BlackRock Services India, the domestic arm of global asset manager BlackRock, has leased 1.4 lakh sq ft of office space at IndiQube Symphony in Bengaluru, according to Propstack data. The 10-year deal is valued at around Rs 4.10 billion.The lease, among the largest transactions in India’s co-working sector, highlights the growing preference of global institutions for flexible office providers. The agreement, commencing October 1, 2025, covers ground plus five floors in KNG Tower 1 at Ashoknagar, MG Road — one of Bengaluru’s prime commercial hubs.As per the lease document, BlackRock will ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

L&T Bags Rs 25–50 Bn Order for Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Track Works

Larsen & Toubro’s (L&T) Transportation Infrastructure business has secured an order valued between Rs 25 crore and Rs 50 billion from the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor.The contract, Package T1, involves the design, supply, construction, testing, and commissioning of 156 route km of high-speed ballastless track on a Design-Build Lump Sum Price basis. The stretch runs from Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex to Zaroli village in Gujarat and includes 21 km of underground track and 135 km of elevated viaduct.Se..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?