KOCHI:Pooling of resources has already begun to pay dividend for bus operators going by the experience of Kochi Wheels, one of the six limited liability companies (LLPs) formed on the recommendations of Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) as part of its seamless multi-modal integrated transportation plans.
The company is looking at saving almost 20% in operational costs in the long run even as each of the 148 bus owners under the company now saves ₹115 a day through bulk purchase of fuel.
However, the pooling of daily collections for proportionate sharing among members hit a practical hurdle during a trial run of sorts pooling collections of 40 buses accounting for about ₹3 lakh.
“We found that notes of small denominations accounted for almost 75% of the collection, and depositing it in the company account became a problem after the bank started charging counting charges between ₹10 and ₹25 for bundles in excess of 10 bundles. We are working with banks to overcome this issue,” said K.M. Navas, one of the nine designated partners of Kochi Wheels. The possibility of exchanging small denomination notes with businesses like supermarkets and even the Kochi metro in need of them is also being explored as a solution.
However, the company has found pooling of resources for operational expenses like fuel and spare parts purchase very attractive.
Kochi Metropolitan Transport Cooperative Society, another entity of bus operators with 800-odd buses, out of which 110 operate in the metro corridor, is all set to start pooling of revenue from August 20.
“We have worked out the total daily collection of buses and the rate of proportional share. This will put an end to competition among buses, since they will be guaranteed a minimum daily return even if collections dip on a given day,” said T.J. Raju, president of the society.