NewsKarnataka – Mangalore

Mangalore :  Deputy Commissioner  AB Ibrahim  held a meeting with bus operators, RTO officials and general public on Tuesday June 3 to discuss the appeal made by the DK District Bus Operators Association seeking permission to revise private bus fares.

Addressing the meeting, Rajavarma Ballal, President of the Canara Bus Operators Association said  the Association had appealed for a fare hike as per the court ruling which had asked private buses to increase  after the government bus fares were hiked. 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  stood at Rs 90,000 per month making it inevitable to increase the fares. Already, bus fares have been increased in Shimoga and Chikmagalur too, he pointed out.

Hanumanth Kamath, President of Nagarika Hitharakshana Samithi said  the buses owned by the DK Bus Operators Association itself 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.

On the other hand, BK Imtiyaz, DYFI leader said the district administration had remained quiet even when the operators hiked the fare unilaterally in the past. 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.

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 i.e Rs 7.