Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (BG)

Mangalore, Jun 3: "Bus owners cannot revise fares as and when they want. Bus fares can be revised only after notification and approval from the RTO. The final discussion on increase in bus fares will be officially notified within 3 days after a detailed discussion with the officials concerned," said deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim.

He was presiding over a meeting of the officials of Regional Transport Authority, bus owners and the public here on Tuesday June 3.

The DC also ordered installation of computerized ticket issuing machines on all city, rural and service buses before July end.

Various issues were discussed in the meeting by both bus owners' associations and the public. Rajavarma Balla, the presdient of Canara Bus Owners' Association explained with facts and figures as to why the bus fare needed to be hiked.

"Bus fares should be hiked due to the increase in diesel price, spare parts and other expenses and maintenance cost. Also, there is a notification that the private buses are liable to increase the fare if the KSRTC increases its fare," he contended.

"While the base fare, that is, Rs 7 will remain the same, the association has decided to increase the total fare by 8 to 10%," he added.

Nooji Balakrishna Rao argued that the bus owners have already increased the fares without even discussing with the authorities. In response, the DC urged the bus owners association not to hike the fares until the official notification is issued.

DYFI leader Imtiaz complained that rules regarding issual of tickets are not being followed by the buses. "The authority concerned must take appropriate action against the same. Also, if the bus owners are finding it hard to operate the buses, they should give up and allow the KSRTC buses to run," he said.

Hanumanth Kamath of Nagarika Hitharakshana complained that there are no emergency exit doors in city buses and also that the contract carriage buses have been violating the rules.

"Bus fare hike is fine but it has to be done as per regulations and rules and not as and when the bus owners want. A notification has to be first issued by the RTO and the administration. The rules have to be revised and KSTRC buses should be asked to operate wherever required," he urged.

Jeevan Kuthar of SFI said the buses never stop if only school children are waiting at a bus stop. "Also the fare hike at the start of the academic year will add to the burden of parents, as along with school fees and other expenses, they will have to shell out more for transport," he said.

In response, Ballal said RFID cards will be introduced for students, thus replacing the old bus passes, which will help in resolving such problems.

When the officials urged the public to complain if there was any violation in collection of fare or other rules, Hanumath Kamath said the address of the complainant should not be mentioned in the complaint letter, as it may pose a risk. Taking serious note of this issue, district SP Dr Sharanappa directed the officials to keep the names of the complainant highly confidential and respond to the complaints quickly and take apppropriate action.

RTO Afzal Ahmed Khan, additional DC Sadashiva, office-bearers and members of DK district bus owners' association and Canara Bus Owners' Association, officials, representative of various associations and public were present.