Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, May 12: Even though the district has achieved the milestone of being in the green zone, confusion over introducing government or private bus services continues. At a time when private bus owners seem to have climbed down from their earlier stand and expressed preparedness to run buses with 50 percent capacity, the district administration has put off a decision on the issue by a week.

Coastal Bus Owners Association president Raghavendra Bhat, has told the district administration that they are prepared to operate the buses duly conforming to specifications of the government. He has said that the bus owners are agreeable to meet rules like running buses at 50 percent passenger capacity, rules about sanitizing the bus before every trip etc. He says that the members of his association will begin to run the buses within a day after the district administration gives its nod. He however said that all passengers will be charged full and no one would be extended pass facility.

Udupi bus stand (file photo)

Bhat said that under his association, over 80 services and express buses operate and these buses mainly move between Udupi, Kundapur, Karkala and Hebri. "Around 350 to 400 drivers and conductors depend on these buses for a living. Our association members are ready to use sanitizer in the bus, compulsory wearing of masks by the staff, allowing only those passengers wearing masks inside buses etc. We hope that the district administration will examine the association's claim and permit us to run the buses," he stated.

Deputy commissioner of the district G Jagadeesha, said that a decision on running the buses would be taken after a week after holding discussions on the issue of permitting KSRTC and private bus operators to begin bus services He said he has not so far come across the request of Coastal Bus Owners Association. He said he will talk to regional transport officer and officials and examine the issue further.