‘KSRTC buses much needed on Mangaluru-Karkala sector for a comfortable and safe journey’

Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) services were badly needed on the Mangaluru-Karkala sector for a comfortable and safe journey of passengers, said K. Rajaram Bhat, a retired insurance firm officer from Vittal in the district, here on Friday.

Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) services were badly needed on the Mangaluru-Karkala sector for a comfortable and safe journey of passengers, said K. Rajaram Bhat, a retired insurance firm officer from Vittal in the district, here on Friday.

Travelling in one of the Mangaluru-Karkala services introduced on Thursday, Mr. Bhat told The Hindu that KSRTC buses were also needed as the sector hosts several tourist destinations like Gurupura, Moodbidri and Karkala. With cramped seats, rash driving and peak hour rush, travel by private buses was not a pleasant experience at all, he said.

Mr. Bhat had another major grievance against private express buses was that they do not stop at Gurupura town; fortunately, the new KSRTC services have designated stops at Gurupura. He said though the town is a major pilgrimage centre with the Venkatarama Kshetra, express bus operators have ignored passengers, he said.

The senior citizen said that ideally the Mangaluru-Karkala KSRTC services should have operated out of State Bank Terminal in Mangaluru or at least operate via Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (Jyothi) Circle instead of the present PVS-Bunts Hosttel-Nanthoor route. This would benefit a larger section of people, he said.

Rukmini form Moodbidri, who was travelling to Mangaluru on Friday said may women travellers in the region were unhappy that they were unable to avail the benefits of the Shakti scheme. The new service would also avoid travelling in cramped private buses, she said.

Fighting a prolonged legal battle for over 11 years with private bus operators who held a sway in the sector, the KSRTC was able to introduce the services at last, said its Mangaluru Senior Divisional Controller Rajesh Shetty. Yet, these services have been introduced on a four-month temporary permit pending issue of regular permits by the RTA, he told The Hindu.

The RTA has permitted the operation of four buses to conduct a total of 28 trips with each trip of 90-minute duration. They operate via PVS, Jyothi, Nanthoor, Vamanjoor, Gurupura, Kaikamba and Moodbidri. The crew and Mr. Shetty however said at least 1.45 hours was required to complete one trip and the corporation might revise the timetable.