Official meet held on bus fare hike in Mangalore - order awaited

Official meet held on bus fare hike in Mangalore - order awaited

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, June 03, 2014:  Deputy Commissioner  AB Ibrahim  as reported had scheduled a powerful meeting with bus operators, RTO officials and general public June 3 to discuss the appeal made by the DK District Bus Operators Association seeking permission to revise private bus fares forthwith. The meeting was duly conducted today am.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rajavarma Ballal, President of the Canara Bus Operators Association sternly contended,  the Association had appealed for a fare hike as per the court ruling which had asked private buses to increase  after the last bus fares were hike. Pointing out that the diesel price was Rs 61.30 per litre and that a  bus can get a mileage of 3.5 km per litre he said  the maintenance cost of a bus too  had shot up to about Rs 90,000 per month making it inevitable to increase the fares.

Already, bus fares have been increased in other places like Shimoga and Chikmagalur too, he pointed out.

Hanumanth Kamath, President of Nagarika Hitharakshana Samithi said  the buses owned by the DK Bus Operators Association do not have the mandatory exit doors. He further alleged that the RTO officials turn a blind eye even if the contract carriage buses flout rules and  ply upto State Bank though they are permitted to  travel only upto Jyothi.

He further questioned why the bus operators who seek a hike in fare do not follow the various government orders but follow the highest rates available immediately.

On the other hand, BK Imtiyaz, DYFI leader said the district administration had remained quiet even when the operators hiked the fare unilaterally. Pointing out that there were possibilities of reduction in diesel prices, he  requested the authorities to press government buses into service if the private operators are finding it difficult to run buses. There was a lot of discontent on the issue.

Sadashiva Prabhu, Additional DC, Dr Sharanappa, SP, AA Khan, RTO, representatives of private bus operators and public were present.

In accordance to the government notification, the private bus  fares are likely to be increased   by 8 per cent for all stages except Stage I for which the fare would remain the same Rs.7/= as at present. Orders are to be awaited.

All concerned feel that Govt. buses should be introduced in a big way as the private operators feel they are at loss due to their public serviceand the fares are way too high really for the common man.