Railways, KSRTC to operate special services

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a move to tap non-fare revenue from Attukal pongala special trains on February 19 and 20, railway authorities have invited quotations for displaying advertisements in these trains. Eleven trains are planned to be operated as special trains during the festival.
The probable routes of passenger trains are Kayamkulam-Thiruvananthapuram, Thiruvananthapuram- Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram- Kayamkulam and Thiruvananthapuram- Nagercoil.
The quotation for displaying advertisements in special trains was invited by senior divisional commercial manager.
As the attempt to invite sponsorship for operating special trains for Attukal Pongala festival did not receive any favourable response in the last season, changes have been brought in the new quotation. The invitation for advertising states that display banners in the exterior of coaches of trains and at originating, intermediate and destination stations will be permitted. In addition to this, special announcement with the brand name will be made at all stations through public information system.
“The proposal is being reviewed as it has been informed that there is demand for extending the advertising permit for more than one day,” said an official from Thiruvananthapuram railway division.
The prices of the tickets in special trains are the same as in passenger trains. But, the passengers often refuse to buy train tickets, leading to poor revenue.
Meanwhile, KSRTC has also announced pongala special services from February 12 to 22. Special services will be operated from Thiruvananthapuram, Pappanamcode, Vikas Bhavan, Vellanad and Peroorkada.
The buses will have destination board as ‘Attukal temple’, said G Venugopal deputy general manager (operation), KSRTC.
After the conclusion of the pongala rituals on February 20, there will be bus services from Kamaleswaram School to Poovar and Vizhinjam regions; from Fort school to Pettah, Kannamoola and Kesavadasapuram; from Killipalam-Karamana-Pappanamcode to Thirumala, Jagathy, Pangode and Neyyattinkara; from East Fort to Vattiyoorkavu and Peroorkada; from Thiruvananthapuram Central to Kilimanoor, Attingal, Nedumangad, Neyyattinkara and Kattakada and from Maruthoorkadavu to Pappanamcode.
Also, additional bus services will be operated from Kollam, Kottarakara, Punalur and Pathanamthitta to the city from February 19.