KSRTC operates 90 buses in DK

Mangaluru: KSRTCMangaluru and Puttur divisions started bus services to Bengaluru, Mysuru, Shivamogga, Hubballi, Madikeri and various destinations within Dakshina Kannada district on Tuesday.
Mangaluru and Puttur divisions of the corporation operated 40 and 50 buses, respectively, on Tuesday, for the first time since the lockdown was clamped. There were no changes in the fare, officials said.
KSRTC Mangaluru divisional controller S N Aruna said buses were operated based on demand. He said that all the necessary measures have been taken to ensure social distancing in buses, which operated by transporting only 50% of their capacity. Social distancing is maintained in all stages, including at ticket counters, he said, adding that all the buses were sanitised before the trip.
KSRTC has been ensuring that the buses reach their destinations before 7pm. Hence, no long-distance buses left Mangaluru depot after 11am.
“At the entrance of the depot, each passenger is made to undergo thermal scanning to check their body temperature before boarding the bus. Similarly, passengers are also asked to use hand sanitisers before boarding the bus. Officials have been collecting phone numbers, names and addresses of each passenger, before the journey. At present, pregnant women, children below 10 and senior citizens are not allowed to travel in buses.
KSRTC Puttur Divisional Controller Nagendra said they operated 50 buses from its five depots at Puttur, Madikeri, Sullia, B C Road and Dharmasthala. The buses operated on the Sullia, Belthangady, Kadaba, Uppinangady, Madikeri, Mysuru, and Bengaluru routes.
Meanwhile, Dakshina Kannada district minister Kota Shrinavas Poojari directed KSRTC officials to commence city service too. At an official meeting, the minister directed officials to commence 42 buses on important routes.