The grand celebrations for Mysuru Dasara kicked off on Monday, and to ensure smooth travel for countless revelers, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), Mysuru Rural division, has announced the deployment of more than 350 additional buses.
These extra services are designed to complement existing routes, primarily focusing on connecting Bengaluru and nearby districts to Mysuru, facilitating easier access for festival-goers. Approximately 150 buses will be dedicated to the Bengaluru-Mysuru corridor, each scheduled for two to three trips daily.
According to Srinivas, KSRTC Divisional Controller for Mysuru Rural, these additional buses will operate throughout the entire festival period and will continue running as long as high passenger demand persists.
Adding to the convenience, KSRTC’s special Dasara tour packages are slated to commence on September 27. Bookings for these packages can be made online and will run until October 2, with potential extensions based on public interest. It’s important to note that ‘Shakti benefits’ (free bus rides for women) will not apply to these special tour packages.
In total, KSRTC has allocated over 2,000 extra buses from various parts of Karnataka to manage the significant passenger surge expected in Mysuru during Dasara.
Building on previous successes, KSRTC anticipates an even greater turnout this year, following last year’s impressive passenger traffic. A notable increase in women passengers utilizing the Shakti free bus scheme is also expected, as more people journey to witness the splendid festivities in Mysuru, a city beautifully illuminated and prepared for the ‘Nada Habba’ (State Festival).
Last year, special KSRTC buses generated a substantial revenue of ₹5.90 crore over 10 days, ferrying nearly nine lakh passengers between October 12 and 23, 2024. Operating an additional 420 buses, the corporation achieved an impressive earning of ₹61.05 per kilometer, significantly surpassing the operating cost of approximately ₹43 per kilometer, thus securing a healthy profit from its Dasara operations.
To bolster its fleet for these augmented services, the Mysuru KSRTC division acquired buses from the Mandya and Chamarajanagar divisions, ensuring ample transport options for the eager visitors.