Auto bandh today: KSRTC to run special buses

In view of the autorickshaw bandh from Thursday midnight to Friday midnight hours, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will operate special buses for the convenience of the people. In all 1,000 to 2,000 additional trips will be operated against the normal schedule of 6,500 trips on Friday.

KSRTC Divisional Controller (Urban) H C Ramesh told Deccan Herald, special buses will be operated from 5.30 am for the benefit of passengers who arrive at the sub-urban bus stand on Bengaluru-Nilgiri road and at the City Railway Station. Five buses will be stationed from Thursday night, to cater to the early morning passengers at the sub-urban bus stand.

Assistant Traffic Manager at city bus stand Maqsood Ahmed said, to cater to the rush, the off-load vehicles too will be operated, concentrating mainly on the transit spots, prominent circles and junctions in the central business district.

Besides, the drivers and conductors have been already directed to conduct extra trips, at least two against the normal trips.

Traffic controllers

To ensure that nothing goes awry, the traffic controllers will be deputed at prominent junctions. In case of demand for extra buses, they will be dispatching information to their higher-ups.

Normally, KSRTC urban division operates 448 schedules (buses) daily covering one lakh km from 6,500 trips.

Earlier, when the autorickshaw unions had called for a bandh, the transport corporation had undertaken similar measures. The response was good, the official added.

Jeeps

Police Commissioner M A Saleem said, “The KSRTC authorities have been already asked to operate extra buses in the interest of the people. The traffic police have also been directed to take measures to ferry passengers in jeeps, depending upon the requirement. The department is all set to handle the emergency situation that may arise following the bandh call”.

Mysuru Nagara Mathtu Jilla Auto Sanghatanegala Okkoota has called for a bandh to protest against the growing cab services in the city. The city has about 30,000 autorickshaws in total.