We will nationalize all bus routes: Palemar

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Nov 25: “Private bus operators have failed to provide adequate service to the public by not plying on expected routes. We might have to nationalize all bus routes in the district if they do not correct themselves,” said J Krishna Palemar, the district in-charge minister during the Karnataka Development Programmes Review meeting held at the Zilla Panchayat on Nov 24, Tuesday. 

The regional transport officer informed that 12 private bus operators have received permits to ply in the rural areas of Mangalore, but they are not plying along the expected routes. The RTO proposed to cancel the licenses given to these operators and introduce KSRTC buses instead. 

Deputy Commissioner V Ponnuraj, who also functions as the chairman of the regional transport authority, said that the licenses of these buses cannot be cancelled because the Canara Bus Owners’ Association has obtained a stay order from the court, preventing the introduction of KSRTC buses in the area. He said: “The transport commissioner had proposed a new route at the state level, enabling the introduction of KSRTC buses; but the private bus operators brought a stay order and prevented this development.” 

Palemar said that the best solution is to nationalize all the bus routes in the district. He said: “We will hold a meeting with the private bus operators next week. If they are unwilling to cooperate and give the expected service, we will nationalize the bus routes.”