Mangalore: Four KSRTC Buses Promised for City, None on Road Yet
Prakash Samaga
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore
Mangalore, May 9: Fed up of 'low-grade' service provided by private bus companies in the city, citizens were keenly looking forward to the introduction of four KSRTC buses that was announced in early April during the RTA adalat.
The new bus service was supposed to begin operations by April end on Baikampady-Kankanady route and elsewhere, but the deadline has come and gone, and yet there is no sign of a single KSRTC bus in the city limits.
One wonders if the responsibility of officials ends at only announcement of proposals and not in realizing them.
At the RTA adalat held on April 5, RTO C Mallikarjuna on the sidelines of the meeting had told mediapersons that four KSRTC buses would start plying on Baikampady-Kankanady and other routes by April end and the permit for the same had been granted.
It is a common belief that the KSRTC buses with their low footboards and spacious double doors are a blessing for the physically challenged and the aged commuters, enabling them to board the bus with ease. They also eliminate the problem of crowding. Moreover, the KSRTC is known for its customer-friendly approach. In the last RTA adalat complaints mainly were on the rude behaviour of conductors in private buses.
When asked the reason for the absence of KSRTC buses in the city, RTO C Mallikarjuna told Daijiworld that KSRTC has been demanding permission to enter Mangalore’s main bus terminus at State Bank, but the district magistrate's notification (which says there are already too many buses at State Bank and no new ones will be allowed) requires modification first before the RTA can permit KSRTC buses to run to and fro the main bus terminus. An offer was then made to KSRTC to run on routes like Kankanady, Ladyhill, KPT and Mallikatta, which was rejected on the grounds that it was not profitable enough.
KSRTC divisional controller Ramesh said that permission was sought to run at least near the commissioner’s office, which would have brought in some profit. "Otherwise, KSRTC buses will not make any profit," he said.
Meanwhile, the passengers continue to wait for better buses and relief from private operators.