Thiruvananthapuram | Keralam's public transport carrier KSRTC has launched five new buses under the wet lease scheme, introducing three additional services from Thiruvananthapuram to Palakkad and Amrita Hospital in Kochi.

The fleet comprises two air-conditioned and three non-air-conditioned buses, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) officials said here.

Transport Minister C P John recently flagged off the buses at the Thiruvananthapuram Central depot, they said in a statement.

Two AC buses will operate a new service between Thiruvananthapuram and northern Palakkad district. The bus will depart from the state capital at 12.30 am and reach Palakkad at 9.40 am.

The return service will leave Palakkad at 1.45 pm and reach Thiruvananthapuram at 11.45 pm. The ticket fare is Rs 467.

Another Palakkad service, operated using two non-AC buses, will depart from Thiruvananthapuram at 7.30 am and reach its destination at 5.15 pm. The return journey will begin at 10.45 pm, with the fare fixed at Rs 411.

The fifth bus, a non-AC vehicle, will operate between Thiruvananthapuram and Amrita, and its ticket fare is Rs 276.

The initiative is aimed at expanding KSRTC's services and improving travel facilities for long-distance passengers, authorities added.

Under the wet-lease arrangement, buses would be hired along with their drivers, maintenance and other operational support from private owners, while the KSRTC would operate the services, sources said.