Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)
Udupi, May 23: MLA Raghupathi Bhat said that 12 city buses would be plying from May 25, on six routes for a week on free service. It would be sponsored by Sarvajanika Ganeshotsava Samithi Kadiyali and Aasarae Charitable Trust. They would jointly bear the fuel charges and payment for the drivers.
The 12 busses would be plying in six routes of Udupi city including two buses in Brahmavar region.
Passengers traveling in these buses would not be paying any fare for a week. However, after a week of free service, if the operators want, they can continue the service based on the response of the public.
The buses would be sanitized and all necessary precautionary measures would be taken. Conductor service would be provided by volunteers from Ganeshotsava Samithi, who would also ensure that social distancing and other precautionary measures are taken in the bus.
Udupi City Bus Owners’ Association president Kuilady Suresh Naik said, "As a temporary measure to maintain physical distance between the conductor and the passengers, we are introducing ‘Chalo Card’ for our passengers. This card is rechargeable and can be used until the recharge exhausts. It will ease the process. A machine will be kept in the bus and the passengers have to touch the card to that machine. The conductor will fill up the passengers' destination and ticket will be printed. This card will be valid after the week’s free service. Every passenger will be given this card. Our centres will soon open in different parts of the city for recharge facility."
The buses would operate in the below routes:
1. Malpe - Gardimajal - Santhekatte - Udupi city
2. Alevoor - Korangrapdy - Udupi city - Manipal - DC office - Udupi city - Diana - Alevoor
3. Hoode - Thottam - Malpe - Adi Udupi - Ajjarkad - Udupi city - Manipal - Parkala
4. Sampige Nagara - Kadekar - Ambalpady - Ajjarkad - Udupi city - Manipal - Parkala
5. Pragathi Nagara - Manipal - Udupi - Doddangudde - Perampalli church
6. Kalthur - Santhekatte - Cherkady - Pethri - Brahmavar
7. Hoode - Kemmannu - Santhekatte - Ambagilu - Gundibail - Kalsanka - Udupi city
Raghavendra Kini, Ganeshotsava Samithi, and other office bearers of City Bus Owners’ Association were present.