WATCH: KSRTC Driver Kisses Bus Goodbye After 18 Years of Service, Emotional Farewell Goes Viral; CM Reacts

After two decades of service with the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), driver Paul Kurien bid farewell to the bus he had driven for the past eight years. A video capturing Kurien kissing the bus he had accompanied on countless journeys went viral on social media, touching viewers with its emotional message. Born in Kattappana, Idukki, Kurien completed 18 years of service with KSRTC before his final day behind the wheel on September 2.

Standing beside the bus that had been his companion for years, Kurien touched the vehicle affectionately before kissing its front. Another emotional moment showed him paying respects to the bus and taking one last look at it. The footage, recorded by colleagues and friends, quickly spread online, reflecting the bond that can develop between a driver and the vehicle they rely on daily.

Kurien spent the last eight years of his 18-year career driving the same bus on the Cumbum–Kumily–Karuvakkulam–Kottayam route, with long daily journeys becoming part of his routine. He became familiar to regular passengers along the way and reportedly received an affectionate farewell from them. Kurien credited the bus itself for helping him complete his years of service safely, saying, "It was not me who protected the passengers and myself all these years; it was this bus that kept us safe."

After his final active day, Kurien officially retired from KSRTC on October 31. Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan praised Kurien's emotional farewell and the dedication of KSRTC employees, highlighting their tireless commitment and pride. Satheesan emphasized that the government would continue efforts to modernize KSRTC while preserving and strengthening its role as an essential public service.