JOIN USDecision on bus fare hike for Udupi district today
Addressing a meeting held to discuss on the hike in bus fare, she said the basic purpose of the meeting was to bring consensus between the bus operators and public over 10 per cent hike in bus fares. Measures will be taken to come to a conclusion that the rates are not contemplated and both parties should agree, she said and added that 10 per cent hike would be slightly high rate.
Speaking on the occasion, Canara Bus Operators Association President Rajavarma Ballal said: “We offer service at 60 to 62 paise per km against the government regulation of 70 paise per km as basic grade rates. We revise the facilities offered to the public very often. We provide our bus services to government programmes free of cost.”
Consumer Forum District Convener Damodhar Aithal said “ten per cent hike is high and the rates considered for basic grade should remain the same. Private bus services to the government programmes should not be a burden on public.”
Retired Government employee Ravichandra argued that the RTA has no authority to revise rates.
“The State Transport Authority is empowered to instruct revision of bus fares. In this background, the meeting does not hold any sense,” he said. Senior Citizen’s Association Secretary Vishwajna Shetty said tickets should be issued to the passengers compulsory. Drivers and conductors should co-operate with the passengers. The drivers should avoid the use of cell phones while driving, he said.
Responding to the demand from the public on the introduction of KSRTC buses on all the routes across the district, City Bus Operators Association Secretary Suresh Nayak said unlike government bus services, where the make-over of loss is borne by the government itself, private bus service organisations are not able to take risks.
Student Federation of India Udupi Unit urged for additional concession in the bus passes issued to the students.
Hemalatha informed that RTA meeting will be held on February 15. RTO Ramesh was present.