Integrated transport app for public soon, says DC

Dakshina Kannada district administration will come out with an integrated transport app to provide an interface for the public to air their grievances, submit feedback and suggestions on improving transport system in the district, Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil said.

He was speaking at the road safety meeting organised as a part of RTA meeting on Wednesday.

"The app will be launched within four months."

The app will also help the authorities to get a rating for the services offered by the buses and autorickshaws in the district. The app will be available free of charge and will be user friendly. It will help the public to register their complaints against overcharging autorickshaw drivers and rash and negligent driving by the bus drivers. Further, it will also help in monitoring the buses plying in the region. The app will provide a technological solution to the problems pertaining to the transport system in the district, the DC expained. T

he app is being developed under Smart City Mission.

Dakshina Kannada Private Bus Operators Association President Dilraj Alva said that in future, city buses in Mangaluru will have Radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags and smart cards.

Corporator Kavitha Vasu said that the bus services to Hoige Bazar area had been stopped after the commencement of the road work. The labourers and schoolchildren have been severely affected by lack of bus services. "The buses can operate on alternative routes for the benefit of the public."

Jerald Towers said the new bus shelters constructed are unscientific and the design do not match the weather in Dakshina Kannad district. The inproportionate size of a Circle, at Mallikatte is inconveniencing the bus drivers. He also accused the buses of emitting smoke and contributing to the pollution in the city.

Hasanabba demanded the introduction of KSRTC buses under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) on Statebank-Manjanady-Mudipu route. The street vendors at State Bank area are inconveniencing the movement of pedestrians. The street vendors yard, situated a few meters away from State Bank area, has remained unutilised, he added.

Another member of public said in spite of Lokayukta’s direction the bus service from Padil Junction has not been extended till Mangaluru Junction Railway Station.

Activist Hanumantha Kamath accused Mangaluru City Corporation of failing to initiate action against those commercial buildings violating parking norms. "If all the commercial buildings provide space for parking, then 75% less vehicles will be parked on the roadside. He, further, urged the authorities to ensure that the buses use the bus bay.

Auto drivers alleged that there was illegality in the issue of permits to autorickshaws in the past. In spite of over 8,000 autorickshaws operating in Mangaluru, there are hardly few auto stands in the city. The auto fares should be revised, they added.

When Deekshith from Childline brought the issue of forced begging using children in Mangaluru, DCP (Crime and Traffic) Uma Prashanth said that Childline can take up a drive in association with the police.