Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru/Udupi (HB)

Mangaluru/Udupi, May 30: Bus service in the twin districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi are likely to ply from June 1. However, only 25 percent city and private buses would be operating in the first week and based on the response the service might go up to 50 percent the following week.

President of Canara Bus Owners’ Association, Rajavarma Ballal said that there would be 15 percent hike in the fare as per the guidelines issued and no concession will be given he said while addressing on a press meet held at Hotel Legado on Saturday, May 30.

"Most of the bus owners have agreed to our decision. After a long time demand, government has exempted two months of tax payment though the demand was for three months, the government refused to extend to another month," he said.

The decision to revise bus fare was taken in order to compensate for social distancing. Revision of bus fare is taking place since it was last revised in 2013, he said.

Following various precautionary measures issued, the bus association has submitted the routes buses would be plying to the RTO office. Instructions were given to all the conductors and drivers on limiting the number of passengers, wearing of masks, gloves and using sanitizers. The buses must be sanitized at the end of every trip, Ballal said.

Regarding the bus fare, Canara Bus Owners’ Association member, Kuilady Suresh Naik said that the fare would not be reduced until the lockdown ends completely. "No concession would be given to anyone as there is decrease in the number of passengers. Bus fare within the city limits would be between Rs 10 to Rs 20."

He further said that cash card would be launched on June 1 for passengers traveling in Malpe Santhekatte and Manipal routes. Those who have already paid for the pass before the lockdown would be refunded or transfer the amount to the card.

Naik said that the frequency of buses is likely to hit as there is reduction in the number of buses. However, he has assured to ply buses in the major routes as frequently as possible and requested the people journeying to cooperate for smooth operation of the city buses.

Bus fares to Mangaluru from Udupi and Manipal is revised from Rs 67 and 65 to Rs 80 and 85 respectively, while from Kundapura it is increased to Rs 120, the earlier rate being Rs 100. Fare from Udupi to Kundapura was Rs 45 and it is revised to Rs 50 now. Fares to Mangaluru from Karkala via Padubidri is increased to Rs 65 from Rs 50 and via Moodbidri it is increased to Rs 62, the previous rate being Rs 55. Fare to Karkala from Udupi via Hiriyadka was Rs 40 and revised to Rs 45 as per the new fare chart.

Dakshina Kannada District Bus Owners’ Association president, Dilraj Alva said, "There are 325 city buses in Dakshina Kannada, 85 buses in Udupi but out of that only 135 buses would be plying in Dakshina Kannada and about 20 to 22 buses in Udupi from Monday. In total, there are nearly 2,000 private buses, but the association has decided to operate only 50 percent buses."

Canara Bus Owners’ Association vice president, Sadananda Chathra said that while operating the buses would comply with all standard operating procedures issued by the government and buses would ply only between 7 AM to 7 PM. He further said that they are hoping the government would give relaxed timings for running the buses. However, an official order is awaited.