DK RTA asks KSRTC to resubmit claims for new permits to operate buses

DK RTA asks KSRTC to resubmit claims for new permits to operate buses

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, June 26, 2014: Dakshina Kannada Regional Transport Authority (RTA)  directed the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) to resubmit applications for issue of permits to operate buses in various parts of the district as well as neighbouring Udupi district.

RTA Chairman and Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim was referring to 10 applications to operate buses from Karkala in Udupi district to B.C. Road in Dakshina Kannada via Moodbidri, Mangalore, Mudipu and Konaje.

He told KSRTC officials present, “I am unable to understand your intentions in seeking permits for this circuitous route, that too by deploying two buses for each permit.”

One private bus operator urged the RTA not to take up the applications and said if permits were granted, over 50 private operators would suffer heavy losses. He added that these routes were being served well by private operators. However, Rajaram Bhat, a resident of Mudipu, said KSRTC had given a good option of direct travel either to Karkala or B.C. Road for villages en-route. Even though Mudipu and surrounding places are served well by private operators, the buses are loaded to the capacity during peak hours and commuters, especially students, find it very difficult to travel, he said.

Besides applications for Karkala-B.C. Road and vice versa, KSRTC had also filed applications for permits to operate buses between Kateel-Kukke Subrahmanya and other places in the district. The Authority asked the Corporation to file applications in simple format confining each to one particular route.  At the same time, it granted a few permits to KSRTC to operate city/ rural services around Mangalore which do not have sufficient private bus service, including Baikampady industrial area and so on.