Vedike urges KSRTC bus services in city

Mangalore, February 22: The Rajya Rasthe Saarige Nigamagala Naukarara Karnataka Rakshana Vedike has urged the Deputy Commissioner, who is also the chairman of the Regional Transport Authority to facilitate the early introduction of city bus services by KSRTC in Mangalore. The Vedike reminded the DC about an assurance given by transport minister R Ashoka that the KSRTC would not back down from introducing city bus services by KSRTC.

C L Bhat, president of the Vedike, in a press statement here on Monday stated that KSRTC Mangalore division has introduced Volvo bus services on the Mangalore-Manipal sector as assured by R Ashoka. The introduction of city bus services by KSRTC can become a reality if the minister concerned and the elected representatives of the region press for it, Bhat stated adding that there has to be concerted efforts on part of all concerned in this regard.

It has been more than three years since KSRTC Mangalore division submitted application to the RTA for operating city bus services on the Mangalore-Talapady, Kunjathbail-Mangaladevi, State Bank-Thannirbhavi, Bondel-Mangaladevi, State Bank-Chelairu, A B Shetty Circle-Amblamogaru routes. With RTA meetings becoming few and far between, applications moved by KSRTC to start such a service have remained largely on paper, Bhat added.

Referring to the opposition mounted by lawyers of private bus operators to the introduction of city bus services when the RTA met on January 6, Bhat stated KSRTC has maintained social outlook alongside providing good public transport system. Private operators on the other hand have been constantly criticized for boorish behaviour of their crew.

Asserting that the Mangalore division of KSRTC was ready to commence city bus services, Bhat said a new depot has already come up in Kuntikana for this very purpose. If the RTA permits KSRTC to operate bus services, people will witness the efficient services that the state owned corporation is capable of delivering. Bhat urged people of the city to be united and raise their voice and seek early introduction of city services by KSRTC.