The donation was made in the Chief Minister’s chamber after a cabinet meeting in Thiruvananthapuram, with Higher Education Minister Roji M. John and Transport Minister C.P. John in attendance. Jose, who runs the Angamaly‑based firm ‘He‑Man Auto Robopark’, said the contribution was intended to strengthen the state’s public‑transport network.
KSRTC, which operates the bulk of Kerala’s bus services, has historically relied on government funding and corporate social‑responsibility (CSR) schemes. Jose’s gift marks a historic departure, being the first instance of a private citizen directly sponsoring a bus for the corporation.
The donor stipulated that the new bus be stationed at the Angamaly depot and that it serve a route linking the Athirappilly tourism region with southern Kerala. Transport Minister C.P. John assured that the proposed service would be incorporated into the KSRTC schedule.
The move follows an earlier contribution from the Calicut City Cooperative Bank, which also provided funds for a KSRTC bus. Both donations are part of the state’s 100‑day action plan that encourages local self‑government bodies, cooperatives, companies, trusts, voluntary organisations and CSR funds to sponsor public‑transport assets.
Chief Minister Satheesan hailed the gesture as a “positive example” that could inspire further private and institutional support for KSRTC. If replicated, such contributions could expand service coverage, improve fleet quality and bolster tourism connectivity across Kerala.