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Manipal : Even though there has frequent misunderstanding between private, government operators and the staff, there is a rising demand for KSRTC buses in twin districts of coastal Karnataka, said S. R. Umashankar, Managing Director of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC

He was speaking to the media persons at Deputy Commissioner’s Office to discuss on the bus operating timings and the introduction of new routes in Udupi district here on Monday, 7^th August, 2017.

He said KSRTC is leading fleet in country with number one road transport system. There are more than 23,500 buses operating in various zones in the state. There is better co-ordination with different zones. We are giving importance to better maintenance of the buses. There are 81 depots and 16 divisions’ along with 13 workshops. We are maintaining buses with cleaning and overall services of the buses, he said.

We are maintaining with good safety measures, better facilities for the passengers and giving safety to the passengers. Salary packages for the staff better with compare to other states. The VTMS-PIS system effectively monitors the KSRTC fleet and the movements of buses are monitored in the system, he said.

The students in particular and the general public have requested for the introduction of the KSRTC buses in the district that KSRTC provides bus passes to the students in Udupi district. KSRTC is not for earning money but for the services to students and general public. The government has introduced free bus passes to SC/ST students. Students falling under general category are provided bus pass with 25% discount. About 18.5 lakh students have availed the bus pass in the state. Out of that 4.4 lakh students belonging to SC/ST. Students below 7^th standard can get free travel and students above 7^th standard have passes at 25% discount. All the other state governments providing subsidy to state run buses, but in Karnataka state KSRTC does not get any subsidy from the government.

Private bus operators have succeeded to bring stay in the movement of KSRTC buses in the district. We are going to appeal in High Court against the order. The Court also directed Regisional Transport Authority (RTO) to follow the timing of the bus routes with deputy Commissioner of Udupi district and the RTO.

Gopal Poojary President of KSRTC and Byndoor MLA said that there are large number of private buses are operating in the twin districts. We do not have intention to make competition with them. Our intention to provide KSRTC buses in rural areas.

We have giving special packages to twin district with introducing new KSRTC buses. Our intention is clear that the students should avail the facilities from the KSRTC buses, he said.

32 routes have been identified in the Udupi district for the operation of KSRTC buses. 52 buses are operational in the district with temporary permits after the court order. KSRTC has once again applied for additional 16 permits that demand of KSRTC buses more.

Gopal Poojary MLA said that discussions are on underway to create Udupi-Mangaluru division and both the DC’s of Udupi Mangaluru extended their support as well. In Karkala and Byndoor new KSRTC depot will be opened which KSRTC has reserved Rs.10 crore for the depot in Byndoor,

He said that KSRTC initiate the tender process for the new bus stand in Udupi at Bannanje costing Rs. 30 crore. The provision for a multiplex will be reserved in the bus stand. The bus stand will have vast parking space of 2.5 acres of land and can accommodate the movement of more than 1000 buses in a day. Parking facility will be extended in the basement of the bus stand. The new bus stand will have 27 bus bays.

Meanwhile the new bus stand will be constructed at the cost of Rs. 4 crore for JuNURM buses near the old DDPI office, near city bus stand. The tender process already completed and work of new bus stand will be started at the earliest.

Gopal Poojary said that 1706 new buses will be purchased and replace the old buses. A new bus route will be introduced in Mangaluru and Kumta route. The timings’ of the bus routes congested.  We do not make compromise with the competition by the private bus operators, he said.