For the first time in the history of the State and the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), a private individual donated a bus to the Corporation as part of strengthening the public transport system.

Jose, a native of Mookkannur in Angamaly, has donated ₹40 lakh to purchase a bus for the KSRTC. A cheque for ₹40 lakh for the purpose was handed over to Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan during a function held in the Chief Minister’s chamber after the Cabinet meeting in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday (September 23, 2026).

Mr. Jose, who runs a firm called ‘He-Man Auto Robopark’ at Angamaly, handed over the cheque to the Chief Minister in the presence of Higher Education Minister Roji M. John.

Handing the cheque over to Transport Minister C.P. John, the Chief Minister expressed hope that this would serve as a positive gesture, encouraging more individuals and institutions to come forward and donate buses to the KSRTC.

The only condition put forward by Mr. Jose was that the bus should be used to operate services from the Angamaly depot. He also requested the Transport Minister to ensure that the route connected the Athirappilly tourism region with southern Kerala. The Transport Minister gave an assurance regarding the operation of the bus service on the route proposed by Mr. Jose.

Earlier, the Calicut City Cooperative Bank had donated funds to purchase a bus for the KSRTC.

The KSRTC is providing the public an opportunity to sponsor buses to improve the public transport facilities in Keralam as part of the government’s 100-day action plan. The Transport Minister said buses could be provided by local self-government institutions, cooperative bodies, companies, trusts, and voluntary organisations, as well as through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds.