Kodagu KSRTC readies to provide free travel to women commuters

MADIKERI: Kodagu division of KSRTC is ready to extend the free travel to women from Monday. Madikeri KSRTC depot manager Geetha told STOI that all the conductors are being instructed about the government scheme. The free journey will begin after 1pm. Women need to produce ID proof to travel free in KSRTC buses, she said, adding that the ticket machine is updated and is ready to be used.
There are 91 KSRTC buses attached to the Madikeri depot, while nearly 700 buses operate to Madikeri, 140 buses pass through Virapet, 350 buses to Kushalnagar and 70 buses to Somwarpet from various parts of the state, mainly from Hassan, Mysuru and Mangaluru depots.
Will affect us: Private operators
The district has over 130 private buses that ply in the rural parts. Nearly 400 to 500 people travel in a private bus daily within the district, about 40 percent of the travellers were women. "The free travel facility will affect us severely," said Ramesh Joyappa, the president of the Kodagu Private Bus Owners' Association. The free service facility will not just affect the bus owners, but it will have adverse effects on hundreds who work with private buses including the helpers, conductors and drivers, he said.