KSRTC (Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation) was formed in the year 1961. Subsequently 3 corporations were formed from the original corporation.

The three corporations formed from KSRTC are:

· 1) BMTC (Bangalore)
· 2) NWKRTC (Hubli)
· 3) NEKRTC (Gulburga)

KSRTC and the above said corporations are responsible for operating bus services within the state of Karnataka and to other neighboring states.KSRTC has won many accolades for its outstanding performance in the transport industry. It has many firsts to its credit.

·It was the first state in India to implement Electronic Ticketing Machines in all routes of KSRTC
·It was the first state transport corporation in India to have a web based passenger reservation system Called as AWATAR (Anywhere Anytime Advance Reservation)
·It operates a centralized Control Room to monitor the various factors affecting the bus operations.The information received here is passed on the field level officers for immediate attention.This is first of its kind in Indian State Transport Undertakings
·It is the first state Transport Corporation to start fitment of multiplex wiring system
·It is the first to use GPS/GPRS based passenger information systems and bus related Intelligent Transport System in its vehicles.Due to the positive response from the people, KSRTC is planning to implement these in the entire fleet of vehicles
·It is the first STU to induct 150 buses under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) scheme.
·It is the first STU in south east Asia to introduce Enerdiesel (Ethanol blended Diesel) to reduce pollutant vehicular emissions.
·IT is the first to implement Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) i.e.fuel switch project (bio diesel and ethanol blends)

The following are a few unique characteristics of KSRTC:

·The system for recruiting drivers and drivers cum conductors is based on computer automated driving track with no human intervention to recruit the best in the industry.
·Since the fares of high end A/c buses are out of reach to common man, KSRTC has introduced SHEETAL Bus – A common man’s A/c bus at affordable fares.
·A new type of emergency door, taking into consideration the needs of physically challenged, aged, women and children, has been fabricated and fitted in KSRTC buses.
·To increase the life of the bus, CO2 MIG welding is used for construction of buses. It also helps to reduce the repair cost.

The following are the types of buses in KSRTC fleet:

· 1. Karnataka Saarige
· 2. Karnataka Saarige Bus with composite structure
· 3. Rajahamsa Executive Bus
· 4. Sheetal
· 5. KAVERI Medium floor City Bus
· 6. Corona AMBAARI
· 7. Corona AMBAARI Sleeper bus
· 8. Airavat
· 9. Volvo VAIBHAVA low floor city bus
· 10. Mercedes-Benz bus
· 11. Volvo 6×2 Multi Axle Inter City bus

KSRTC has been the pioneer in adopting Information and communications technology in its administrative and operational processes.It is the first to

·do RDBMS based passenger seat reservation system in 1998
·have a Web site in 1997
·introduce Computerized recruitment from 1997
·introduce e-tendering
·use Electronic Ticketing machines on all of its routes
·use Computerized testing tracks for testing of canditates
·implement Web based passenger reservation system since 2006

The most popular among its initiatives are AWATAR and ETMs.AWATAR is a web based passenger reservation system (PRS). Around 25000 tickets are booked using this facility on peak days!!!