Mr. Ramamurthy has more than 23 years of experience and is currently serving as Chief of IT Department and spearheading all the innovative IT and ITES projects of KSRTC. These projects including AWATAR-Web based Passenger Reservation System, Electronic Ticketing, and Automated Driving Test Track System for the selection of Drivers and Driver cum Conductors, ERP solutions, in-house administrative Software Systems etc. have brought many awards and laurels to KSRTC. He believes the challenge for him lies in his ability to bring value additions in meeting the requirements of passenger amenities and KSRTC management through IT solutions

Mr. Ramamurthy did his Masters in Computer Applications and has a degree in Management studies.

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1. Could you tell us about the various e - governance projects initiated by KSRTC and at what stages those are at?

KSRTC is the leading State Transport Undertaking in the country to have initiated and successfully implemented many e-governance projects. The major projects include complete implementation of electronic ticketing machines, web based reservation system, totally automated driving track system for the selection of skilled drivers etc. Apart from the above, there are many tailor made e-governance projects being handled to suit the functional requirements of various departments of KSRTC. These projects are well accepted by staff of KSRTC and highly appreciated by the public. These projects are being added with many value added services and features to offer maximum benefits to the travelling public and KSRTC management.

 

2. Your 'AWATAR' tool is the first of its kind. Any plans of how you might want to further extend and scale this solution?

It has been five years since ‘AWATAR’ is implemented. Based on the success of the project and keeping in mind the popularity of the services, we are in the process of implementation of ‘AWATAR 2.0’ version with clear focus on scalability of the operations. The features planned through AWATAR 2.0 are-

• Accommodating for the concurrent users of the application upto 5000 users
• Providing e-booking facility (through payment gateway options) round the clock
• Enrolling maximum number of franchisees for seat booking
• Advanced Disaster Recovery facility
• Advanced MIS Reports  options

 

3. Could you share some insights/highlights of the AWATAR implementation?

• The number of passengers availing this facility is increasing gradually. The daily average booking has gone up to 20000 tickets corresponding to revenue of Rs80 lakhs with 600 counters across Karnataka and other prominent places outside Karnataka. On peak days, the revenue realized has crossed Rs one crore with the total bookings at 25,000 tickets.
•  KSRTC is also expanding the number of counters which ensures employment for the unemployed graduates in turn providing them scope to become a KSRTC franchisee. KSRTC is also providing 10% reservation to physically challenged persons in appointing KSRTC franchisees.
• With the introduction of AWATAR systems, passengers have the opportunity to plan their journey and book their tickets from any place to any place in advance. AWATAR has proved shifting of passengers from other modes of transport to KSRTC which is evident from increase in reservation revenue.
• KSRTC has offered the passenger to book the seat through – direct e booking using debit/credit card; which occupies 20% share in the total reservations. Also, KSRTC has introduced seat booking through mobile phones.
• KSRTC AWATAR application has fourteen lakh registered users including those residing in other countries. Around 6 lakh site visits are recorded per month and 94 lakh page views are recorded per month. On an average 16.08 pages per visit is viewed.

 

4. Any unique facilities that are provided to your customers as a result of this implementation?

Value added services like Integration with BangaloreOne counters and leading reservation websites have been facilitated. KSRTC has offered the passenger to book the seat through – direct e booking using debit/credit card. Also, KSRTC has introduced seat booking through mobile phones. The website gives place-wise search facility guiding for hassle-free reservation. The map based search service for high-end services have also been included in the website. Encouraged by the success of e-booking, KSRTC introduced ‘URL based Mobile Booking application’ to book bus tickets. Passengers can access the URL www.ksrtc.in/mobile  or http://m.ksrtc.in  using GPRS enabled mobile and book bus tickets within a minute. With the mobile booking (m-booking) facility, KSRTC services can be booked through mobile phones also. For the m-booking passengers, m-ticket is allowed for traveling.

 

5. Could you share some initial user experiences or reaction of this tool?

The growth in reservation and patronage to KSRTC bus traveling itself shows the popularity of this system. The user experiences have been great and currently we have more than 15 lakh registered users. This office receives many e-mails suggesting making the reservation tool even richer.

 

6. The various awards you have won for this project?

KSRTC has won many prestigious awards for taking up IT initiatives both at a national and international level. Following are the awards bagged exclusively by AWATAR project.

• Mobile booking has been recognized as innovation in mobile content and application for masses and awarded “mBillionth South Asia Awards - 2010”.
• National Award for "Exemplary implementation of E-Governance initiatives" in the 13th National Conference on E-Governance Held at Jaipur.
• Golden Peacock Award Innovative Product/Service-2010” instituted by Institute of Directors, New Delhi for successful implementation of AWATAR.
• FIEO Telecom Technology Award- Amazing new mobile service (special award) by National Telecom Services.
• The Great Mind Challenge for Business Awards 2010 by IBM.

7. Could you comment on the social impact you think this solution has had

Socially, we believe we have made good impact. Our initiative has led to

• Employment generation- Young graduates are now partnering with KSRTC to open franchisee/s thus generating employment
• Aiding Green Revolution – Previously one had to travel to nearby city bus stations to book tickets. The diesel spent on traveling is now saved. Assuming nearly 25000 tickets are booked through franchisee / e-booking and a person saves minimum of 10 kms travel thereby, corresponds to 250000 kms per day and assuming a two-wheeler gives 50 kms mileage, then fuel saving corresponds to 5000 liters per day.
  

8. Could you tell us about the partnership with IBM on this project?

We have been in partnership with IBM on our AWATAR tool. It has been good this far and we hope to continue this partnership going forward.

9. What would be your next big investment in 2011?

At KSRTC our next big investment would be ERP, Vehicle Tracking System, Intelligent Transport System with PIS features, Material Management System etc.

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