'Old Bus Stand to be detached from long-route bus service gradually'

With an intention to reduce traffic congestion in and around Old Bus Stand area in the City, the North-Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) is planning to phase out long-route bus service from the Old Bus Stand gradually, by utilising the New Bus Stand on Gokul Road and the new regional terminal coming up at Hosur in a better manner.

"We will shortly begin the process of using only the New Bus Stand for a few long-route buses. After the regional terminal being constructed by the Hubballi-Dharwad Bus Rapid Transit System (H-D BRTS) Company Limited becomes operational by January end, long-route services would begin from there itself.

All long-route buses would not be detached from the Old Bus Stand suddenly, but in a phased manner, for the convenience of the passengers. After shifting all long-route buses out of Old Bus Stand, it would be used only for City and sub-urban buses," said NWKRTC Chairman Sadanand Danganavar.

No bus stand in the City would be allowed to go unused. More number of city buses would be introduced so that passengers can feel comfortable while using long-route buses at New Bus Stand or regional terminal at Hosur. To prevent confusions, this process would be taken up in a phased manner, he noted.

Speaking to media persons in a bus during his visit to bus stands, depots, and workshops where the NWKRTC and H-D BRTS Company Limited have taken up different works, here on Monday, he noted that the NWKRTC would not suddenly stop the city bus service between Hubballi-Dharwad, even after the launch of the BRTS, to prevent any unexpected inconvenience for the passengers.

The NWKRTC would not take over the operations of BRTS buses, until all the works are completed. A final agreement in this regard is yet to be prepared, he clarified.

To make public transport more popular, the NWKRTC would soon announce promotion fare on city bus routes, and concession in bus pass price, Mr Danganavar said.

New facilities

The NWKRTC Hubballi division's Rural Depot No 3 is working as a temporary arrangement now, and the new depot is coming up on five acres of land behind the New Bus Stand, at an estimated cost of Rs 4.50 crore, wherein 150 buses can be parked.

To reuse old tyres, a tyre retrading plant is also coming up at a cost of Rs 1.89 crore. For the movement of city buses, the road in front of the New Bus Stand entrance is being concretised spending Rs 50 lakh, while painting, tar and other works at the Old Bus Stand would also be taken at a cost of Rs 75 lakh, he explained, adding that the reconstructed CBT is also getting final touches.

Of the 650 new buses sanctioned for the NWKRTC, 258 buses have already come. Non-AC sleeper bus service is also being introduced from each taluk centre to Bengaluru, Mr Danganavar added.

NWKRTC Chief Labour Welfare Officer S K Halli, Chief Engineer Phalanetra Nayak, NWKRTC Hubballi Divisional Controller Vivekanand Vishwajna, and others were present.