Mangaluru : The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is taking several initiatives to enhance passenger comfort, including introduction of on-board infotainment facility on all its buses, said its Managing Director S.R. Umashankar here on Monday.

Mr. Umashankar told presspersons that the pilot of the infotainment project is already on. While no video and audio facility would be provided, passengers who have smart phones could connect to the free WiFi facility available on the buses and enjoy a host of information and entertainment programmes, he said. The facility would be available on all classes of services.

On the other hand, the corporation would offer pure drinking water at nominal rates, Rs 1 for a litre, through reverse osmosis system, at all its bus stations. Passengers would have to bring their own containers to collect water. This facility has already been introduced in 15 bus stations, Mr. Umashankar said.

Newspapers are being offered free on premier services and this facility would also be extended to express services. Publications are offering copies free and they would be provided to passengers, he added.

Having provided bus stations at major towns and cities, the corporation would now focus on maintaining cleanliness on its premises. It would soon launch a special cleanliness drive in bus stations as directed by Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy and Corporation Chairman and MLA K. Gopala Poojary, Mr. Umashankar said.

He said that the corporation is working out plans to reduce waiting time at toll plazas on national highways in dialogue with National Highways Authority of India. While almost all buses are now equipped with electronic tags for payment of toll fee, KSRTC has asked NHAI to provide a dedicated lane at each plaza for KSRTC services thereby considerably reducing travel time.

Mr. Umashankar claimed that the mechanical engineering department of the corporation has been the backbone ensuring very few breakdowns and accidents of buses. Breakdowns and accidents have been just one per every 10 lakh km clocked by buses, he said.

Mr. Gopal Poojary was present.