Assns flay pvt bus operators' move to hike fare

Representatives of various citizen organisations at a meeting of the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) here on Tuesday opposed private bus operators’ demand for revision of bus fares by eight per cent.

Private bus operators sought increase in the fares of city, express and service buses citing the reason of hike in diesel prices and spare parts and maintenance charges.

Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim, who is the chairman of the RTA, convened the meeting following a representation by the Bus Operators’ Association, for revising the bus fares.

Appealing for hike, Canara Bus Operators Association President Rajavarma Ballal said that when the bus fare was revised last year, the price of diesel was Rs 50.59 per litre and now it has been increased to Rs 61.39 per litre.

The price of spare parts including tyres, insurance premium has seen an upward trend. The total maintenance cost of a bus per month is Rs 94,781.

Nooyi Balakrishna Rao from Nagarika Samiti, Addur, said the bus operators have hiked the fare without bringing it to the notice of the RTA, which is a gross violation of the rules

A sub stage should be introduced in the first stage like done by the KSRTC.

Nagarika Hitharakshana Vedike President Hanumantha Kamath said “the bus operators are not following the guildelines when it comes to the fixing of exit doors, use of ticket issuing machines and rules pertaining to contract carriage buses.

The sale of ticket bundles in petty shops should be checked.

The bus tickets should clearly mention the name of the operators, route number and denomination of tickets, which is not followed in the district.

Increase the fare by Re 1 barring the first stage. If it is increased by eight per cent, the last stage passenger from outskirts of the city will have to shell out more than Rs 3, which is a burden on poor.” he said.

Meanwhile, the DC said that the RTA will issue the notification on the revised fares within three days.

The bus owners should display the official notification on the buses.

Jeevan Kuthar, a representative of the students and DYFI leader Imthiyaz said that the revision of bus fares will be a burden on the commonman and students.

The bus staff do not accept bus passes after 5 pm.

They also opposed association’s plans to introduce Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) cards instead of passes for students.

When the public complained on stepney tyres being kept inside the buses, SP  Sharanappa directed to submit a written complaint citing the bus number and name.

The SP also directed the RTO to maintain the secrecy of name of the complainant.

When the public said that seats and steps in the buses are not according to the rules, Ballal said let the RTO inspect it and if it is not in accordance with the law, then cancel fitness certificate.