Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Apr 9: On the second day of the agitation by KSRTC employees on Thursday April 8, a few employees reported for duties in Mangaluru and Puttur divisions. As a result, over 50 KSRTC buses were run on mofussil routes and different parts of the state.

There was a marked decline in the number of people visiting the KSRTC bus stands on Thursday as the people are aware that employees are on strike. Most people except those who are compelled by exigencies to travel, have cancelled their plan for long journeys. As such, there were less people bound for Mysuru, Belagavi, Bengaluru, Hubballi and other centres. A handful of people were seen waiting with hope at the bus stands. As private bus services are available in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, people did not have much of a problem on account of the agitation.

A help desk has been opened at the KSRTC bus stand, Bejai here where the people are given need-based assistance. People travelled by tempo travellers and private buses on Thursday morning to Hassan, Sakleshpur etc. By afternoon, a few KSRTC employees resumed duties after which some buses were run. On the highway, more private vehicles were noticed as people opted to use them on account of uncertainty about government buses. Kerala government buses moved about normally.

KSRTC ran 27 buses on Bengaluru, Dharmasthala, Kasargod and other routes. Two Rajahamsa and a Volvo bus were also operated. From Puttur, seven buses were operated on Dharmasthala, B C Road and State Bank routes. KSRTC officials expect the number of buses on the road to increase on Friday.

No KSRTC bus had taken to the road on Wednesday from Udupi depot. On Thursday, an Airavat bus which started from Manipal travelled to Bengaluru.

Most of those who reported to duties were either senior staff who are nearing retirement, or those who are in their probationary period. It seems the notices served on them had the desired effect. KSRTC has decided to utilise services of retired employees who are not over 62, on contract basis for the present. They have fixed honorarium of Rs 800 for drivers and Rs 700 for conductors per day.

Udupi regional transport officer, Gangadhar G P, said that private buses have been arranged in routes normally served by KSRTC buses in order not to inconvenience the public. He said that there is no problem on Udupi-Mangaluru route as enough private buses are operated there.

He was speaking after visiting the service and government bus stands and receiving petitions from the people on Thursday.

He said that he has not received any complaint about recovery of excessive fare or people deprived of bus facility. He said that even when the number of passengers is less, buses have to be run. He said that in places where bus movement is less like the ghat areas, the state government has permitted to run buses without permits and even buses which have surrendered permits, treating them as special cases.