28-11-2017, 04:59 PM
The history of Kerala State Road Transport Corporation began while the development of the transportation industry was not booming as it is today. The Travancore State Transport Department was set up by the former Government of Travancore with the aim of reorganizing the State's transport service. Ms. E.G. Salter, Assistant, Operating Supdt of the London Passenger Transport Board was appointed Supdt on 20.9.1937.
60 kite chassis equipped with Perkins diesel engines were imported from England and the staff had built the body under the supervision of Mr. Salter himself. The selection of operational personnel continues to be a model that has also been followed by current staff. Those who would probably lose their jobs in the private sector due to the nationalization of the Thiruvanathapuram-Kanyakumari route received preference for appointment in the new department. Nearly a hundred graduates received appointments as inspectors and directors.
The state motor service was inaugurated by His Highness Sree Chithirathirunal on 20.2.1938. His Highness and his family were the first passengers on the voyage of induction, and Mr. Salter himself was the driver of that bus. This bus along with the other 33 buses brought through the Kawdiar Square was seen as a beautiful attraction.
Consequence of the enactment of the Law of the Road Transport Corporation in 1950, the Government. of Kerala formulated the KSRTC rules in 1965 by article 44 and the department became an autonomous corporation on 1.4.1965. The Road Transport Corporation of the State of Kerala was established by the government of Kerala through the notification dated 15-3-1965. The necessary arrangements for the good management of the services of the Department of Transportation of the State of Kerala were made quickly by the Corporation.