Demand grows for more govt buses

Mangaluru: While the state government is all set to introduce free bus travel for women in KSRTC buses, there is a growing demand for introduction of more KSRTC buses in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts.
DYFI district president BK Imtiyaz urged the state government and transport minister Ramalinga Reddy to take action to resume the service of the KSRTC buses which have been stopped across DK and Udupi districts during the Covid-19 immediately and to provide bus services to the remaining areas as per the public demand. The free bus service will act as a boon to women from poor economic backgrounds and those going to colleges and for work.
He also blamed the private bus operators for looting the public. He said, “Private bus operators (express) going from Mangaluru to Udupi and Kundapur are looting passengers by charging up to Rs 5 surcharge in the name of Surathkal toll, even after six months of closing the tollgate.
“Is there an account of the money extorted from passengers’ pockets for six months,” Imtiyaz questioned, adding that the tollgate was closed due to the struggle of the public so that the benefit must go to them.
Requests were made to the DC to reduce the bus fares as soon as the tollgate was closed, but no action has been taken.
Meanwhile, Karkala MLA and former minister Sunil Kumar urged the state government to make private bus rides also free for women. He said, “Transport connectivity is available to most parts of Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Shivamogga districts through private buses, but government bus service is not available here. This will be unfair to the women of this region.”
KSRTC officials maintained that they operate 51 city (green) buses, that is 34 buses within Mangaluru city and 17 in Udupi. The KSRTC Mangaluru division also operates 143 ordinary service buses and 154 express Sarige buses.
Meanwhile, according to DK private bus operators association president Jayasheela Adyanthaya, there are about 328 city bus permits and operate approximately 1,000 trips every day.