Pandemic drives up two-wheeler registrations in Mangaluru

Mangaluru: Post lockdown, the Regional Transport Office is recording a steady growth in two-wheeler registrations, but cars have seen a dip, with almost nil registration of high-end four wheelers.
RTO RM Vernekar told TOI that since June, there has been a steady rise in the number of two-wheeler registrations. From a 30-40% increase in June, the registration has increased to 60-70% in July.
“On an average, at least 60-70 vehicles are registered each day as against 100-120 during the pre-Covid days. There is a gradual increase demand for small cars too and the growth rate is around 50% when compared to pre-Covid days. As against an average of 60 car registrations then, the registration is around 25-30 per day. High end car registrations have become rare,” he said.
Two-wheelers, the most affordable mode of commuting for the millennials, is easy to own and payment of EMIs is not that heavy as compared to cars, said a senior officer from the transport department. People’s hesitation to use public transport could be one of the reasons for a steady rise in demand for two-wheelers and small cars during the pandemic, he said.
The pandemic has severely hit private city and service buses, the transport lifeline in undivided Dakshina Kannada. “Out of 325 city buses, only 175 are currently plying. The closure of the Kerala border has had a severe impact on business,” said Dakshina Kannada Bus Owners Association president Dilraj Alva.
Canara Bus Operators’ Association (CBOA) president K Rajavarma Ballal said, “The situation is only worsening, and the government is not thinking of private operators. We have been submitting memorandums to the government urging tax exemption for six months and deferred payments for the remaining six months. Currently, only about 75 service buses are plying on the coastal route.”