State Transport Corporation buses reign supreme on Mangalore-Kasargod route

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, May 30, 2013 : Travel between Mangalore and Kasargod has become much easier now with the state road corporations of both Karnataka and Kerala pressing as many as 36 buses on both sides. Presently, one bus leaves the bus stand at Kasargod and Mangalore respectively for every three minutes.

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In fact, government buses have been reigning supreme on the inter-state NH 66 between Mangalore and Kasargod ever since the route was nationalized in 2008. Presently, only a handful of private buses are operating on this route.

The transport authority had granted temporary permits for private buses for a month’s period on this route three months ago after over 15 buses of the Kerala Road Transport Corporation suspended services on the pretext of hike in diesel prices and subsidy cut.

In the meantime, even the petition filed by private bus operators seeking permission to run buses on the route, came up for hearing before the Supreme Court. The Court had also ordered constitution of a Commission to seek public opinion on whether the public favoured government or private buses.

Meanwhile, the Kerala Road Transport Corporation which woke up from its slumber resumed services of all its 15 suspended buses. On the other hand,a few private buses whose one month permit has expired, have stopped services.

Unhealthy competition : But with one bus leaving the terminus every three minutes, many a time unhealthy competition is noticed mainly by Kerala Road Transport Corporation buses. There have been complaints that some drivers even failed to stop the bus to pick up passengers at some points. A demand is also heard to appoint time keepers for the buses.

Volvo bus services cancelled : The Karnataka Road Transport Corporation has meanwhile suspended the services of four buses on the Mangalore-Kasargod route citing loss.

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