Intra-city routes: KSRTC to get public views

Intra-city routes: KSRTC to get public views

www.mangaloretoday.com

Mangaluru, March 30, 2015: The Dakshina Kannada Regional Transport Authority on Monday directed the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) to get public opinion on the routes on which it may operate within Mangaluru city.

Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim said after a meeting that the commuters should give their suggestions in writing, along with the locations where the new services are required. The State Corporation should submit its report to the RTA, which is scheduled to meet again on April 20.

 

The State Corporation has sought permits for 35 buses to operate from State Bank (central city bus stand) to four different points: Katipalla, Shakthinagar, Ullal and Talapadi.

Mr. Ibrahim, who chaired the meeting on the proposal, agreed with the KSRTC’s argument that the buses were being procured under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) to improve urban transport. Mangaluru is one of the chosen cities.

However, he also concurred with social activist G. Hanumanth Kamath’s argument, that the proposed routes are already saturated with private operators and that there are many under-served routes in the city.

At the same time, advocates representing private operators tried to thwart the KSRTC’s attempt to enter the city bus service segment. Their argued that JNNURM funds were not meant for bus service; and that the state corporation operated only on profitable routes.

Senior Regional Transport Officer Afzal Ahmed Khan and Superintendent of Police S.D. Sharanappa were present.

 

Courtesy: The Hindu