Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Jan 4: The Canara Bus Owners’ Association has decided not to increase the ticket fares for private buses operating in Dakshina Kannada district at the moment.

Speaking to the media, association president Rajaverma Ballal stated, “The number of passengers on private buses has decreased following the introduction of the Shakti scheme by the state government. Additionally, the prices of vehicle spare parts and diesel have risen. Bus owners are still recovering from the financial hardships caused by the Covid pandemic, making a fare hike inevitable in the future. However, no such decision has been taken for now. A meeting of the association’s office bearers will be held in the coming days to discuss this matter.”

Azeez Partippadi, president of the Dakshina Kannada Bus Owners’ Association, added, “Currently, there is no plan to increase the ticket fares of city buses operating in Mangaluru. A scientific analysis of the present situation will be conducted, and decisions will be made accordingly in the coming days.”

Transport minister Ramalinga Reddy commented, “Private bus owners cannot raise ticket fares abruptly. They must first submit a proposal for consideration.”