Senior citizens allocated additional seats in buses, but who will ensure this?

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 5, 2017: Reports are rife on DK,  Dakshina Kannada Road Transport Authority (RTA) has resolved to increase the number of seats reserved for senior citizens in buses from two to four.  The decision was taken at a RTA meeting chaired by DK DC Dr K G Jagadeesha on May 4, Thursday. A resolution in this regard was adopted at the RTA meet based on several complaints Regional Transport Office and Mangaluru City Police received from senior citizens.

At present, buses have to reserve eight seats for women, two for senior citizens, two for physically challenged and one seat for visually challenged.  Mangaluru City Police has been receiving complaints from senior citizens during its weekly phone-in programmes that they do not get seats in buses, said Mangaluru RTO G S Hegde.

The DC said that buses, including private and KSRTC, should increase the number of seats reserved for senior citizens from two to four. "Let there be four seats reserved for senior citizens in all buses. Reserving seats for senior citizens does not mean that it should be kept vacant always. Let senior citizens use the seat when they get into the bus and if there are no senior citizens in the bus, it can be used by others. It is our duty to provide seat and ensure comfortable journey for senior citizens," DC Jagadeesha said adding that orders in this regard will be issued soon.
However, it should be binding on passengers to give place to Sr citizens and women with children, the sick etc... when required.


The DC also directed all private operators to issue tickets to all passengers for their journey compulsorily. The direction came in the wake of a complaint raised by Nagarika Hitharakshana Vedike president Hanumanth Kamath. "Many bus conductors do not posses or issue tickets for the journey so that passengers will not be able to produce proof of their trips," Kamath said.  The DC directed the RTO and the police officials to look into the issue and make all buses comply with the rules.   DCP Sanjiv M Patil said that the department will be launching drives to act against violators.