Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 16 (UNI) With bold reforms, AI integration, and citizen-centric digital initiatives, Kerala’s Transport Department is charting a path toward a future-ready, sustainable, and efficient mobility ecosystem under Vision 2031.
AI-based systems will soon be deployed to analyse bus routes and adjust schedules to prevent multiple State transport buses from operating consecutively on the same route.
By integrating GPS data, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will be able to predict traffic congestion and fine-tune schedules for smoother operations and improved punctuality.
Commenting on Vision 2031, Transport Minister K. B. Ganesh Kumar said the department is preparing for a revolutionary leap in efficiency, technology, and public convenience.
Declaring that Kerala’s transport system is on the verge of a complete digital transformation, the Minister said the coming years would witness projects designed to make travel smarter, safer, and more people-centric.
“Public transport in Kerala is undergoing a historic change. We are moving towards a safer, smarter, and more efficient system that truly serves the people,” he said.
A major highlight of his announcement was the introduction of instant digital driving licences. Driving test officers across the state will soon be equipped with tablets, enabling successful applicants to receive their digital licence immediately after the test.
“This will completely eliminate the need to visit offices and save valuable time for citizens,” the Minister added.
He revealed that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play a crucial role in modernising KSRTC operations. The corporation’s return to profitability, he said, was the result of collective effort and effective management. KSRTC recorded a historic daily ticket revenue of ₹10.19 crore on August 8, 2025, the highest in its history.
Each bus now generates an average daily income of ₹17,000. KSRTC’s driving schools have also emerged as a model of success, earning ₹2.5 crore in profit over the past ten months. More such schools will be established across the state, and once the six-lane national highway is completed, advanced lane-traffic training will be introduced for trainees.
While the number of road accidents has risen, the Minister noted that the fatality rate has dropped significantly, with 278 fewer deaths compared to last year. To ease congestion at one of the busiest traffic junctions in the state, ₹1.5 crore has been sanctioned for road improvement works at Vyttila, Ernakulam.
“The government never resists change. Our approach is to adapt and evolve with the times,” he said, clarifying that the directive to remove air horns was issued in compliance with a High Court order.
The Minister also said that the Public Service Commission will be requested to introduce a fitness test, similar to that followed in the police department, for KSRTC recruitments to ensure higher standards in staff appointments.
Digital tools such as the Chalo mobile app, Travel Card, and the online student concession system have made travel easier and more transparent. Since August 2024, KSRTC employees have been receiving their salaries and pensions on time.
The Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) has also gained public trust through initiatives such as GPS-based vehicle tracking and the Vidyavahan app, which ensures real-time monitoring of school transportation.
“The integration of technology has placed Kerala’s transport sector on a new trajectory of progress,” the Minister said.
