JOIN USBrand new buses evoke good response
The city bus service introduced by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation has received an overwhelming response from the residents of Mandya city.
With brand new buses plying on roads connecting various layouts, people are hopping in enthusiastically as their long pending demand has been fulfilled.
Eleven new buses have been pressed into service, which are plying on five routes from 5.30 am to 9 pm. Many areas in the city now have bus services.
However, some of the routes are facing inconvenience due to narrow roads and heavy density of vehicles and population.
Routes
1) Mandya bus stand to Santhakasalagere via Karasawadi.
2) Mandya bus stand to Kyathumgere via Hosahalli Circle.
3) Mandya bus stand to Sathanur Visvesvaraya Bank via Holalu Circle.
4) Mandya bus stand to Kyathumgere via Kallahalli and
5) Mandya bus stand to Ummadahalli Gate via Yathagadahalli and Arakeshwara temple.
There is one bus for every 15 to 30 minutes towards Hosahalli Circle and Kyathumgere. Other routes have bus service every hour.
Benefit for villagers
KSRTC officials have planned the routes in such a way that they will help the people who arrive from various taluk centres to visit government offices in Mandya apart from those on personal visit and regular commuters.
Bus passes are being issued for those who visit the city from taluk centres and return in the evening. These passes can be used to travel in any of the city buses.
Arrangements have been made to park the buses on one side of the bus stand. The time-table is also displayed there.
But, the stops on the route and the time of departure are not displayed, hence it is difficult to know what time the bus arrives, says Puttegowda a local resident.
The city bus service has come as a relief to the general public, who had to earlier cough up unreasonable fares for autorickshaws.
K Satish, a commuter, said the city bus service, which was introduced twice earlier, had to be withdrawn due to various reasons.
He hoped it will continue now and urged the authorities concerned to construct bus stops.