Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, May 28: The private and city buses which fell silent with the enforcement of lockdown relating to spread of coronavirus are almost certain to come to life on June 1. However, indications are that initially, 50 percent of buses will begin their trips. As many as 150 city and service buses are expected to be pressed into service in Dakshina Kannada district while 20 city buses will run in Udupi.

The said decision was taken at the meeting of the private bus operators association in the city on Wednesday May 27. It was decided to run the buses, duly sticking to the government guidelines. President of Mangaluru City Bus Owners Association, Dilraj Ava, explained that representatives of the association had met the regional transport officer and the deputy commissioner on Wednesday. "We will obey the guidelines of the government but we have brought to the notice of the officials that it might be difficult to check body temperature of individual commuters and also to collect their personal details.”

Udupi City Bus Owners Association president, K Suresh Nayak, said that a meeting of city bus owners’ association will be held on May 29. "On May 28, we will meet the deputy commissioner and seek permission to enhance fare by 50 percent if the buses have to carry only 30 passengers at least till the problem created by coronavirus infection ceases," he said.

It is almost certain that city and service buses fares will go up. The transport minister has indicated that the fare might be hiked by 15 percent. An official notification will soon be issued and in all likelihood, the city bus fare which is calculated at eight rupees per stage may go up to ten rupees, it is said.

Udupi district commissioner G Jagadeesh, said that the bus owners have already been asked to begin bus services and told about the need to follow rules. He said that the government has been requested to meet the demands made by the bus owners association. He added that he will speak to the regional transport officer, and if there is a need, will convene meeting again.

Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner Sindhu B Rupesh, said that the bus owners have been given suitable instructions at a meeting held with them. She said that the passengers and bus conductors have been advised to maintain social distance and wear masks. She said that decision on fare increase will be taken after an official order of the government is received.