The initiative by the Dakshina Kannada Regional Transport Authority (RTA) to solicit public opinion on routes where the proposed KSRTC city bus services could be operated has received an overwhelming response.
As many as 832 applications demanding services on 2,274 routes have been received by the Regional Transport Office and KSRTC between April 1 and April 15. The KSRTC consolidated all the requests and submitted the details to the Deputy Commissioner, who is also the Chairman of the RTA, on April 17.
Majority of the public have demanded services between State Bank and Kateel via Bajpe (562). This is followed by demand for services between State Bank and Kunjathbail – with 552 people demanding it via Kavoor and 550 wanting it via Kulur.
A total of 89 people demanded city bus service between State Bank and Someshwara via Ullal; 41 each for services between State Bank and Kumpala as well as Bajal; 40 for Talapady to Bondel via State Bank; 37 and 18 for services between State Bank and Mudipu via Deralakatte and Madyar respectively; 18 each between State Bank and Katipalla via Kaana and Chokkabettu;16 for State Bank to Talapady; 12 for State Bank to Pachchanady and 10 each for State Bank-Kaikamba, Moodushedde, Mukka and Shaktinagar.
JNNURM buses
The KSRTC would deploy low-floor (900 mm floor height) buses with wide doors in the middle and the front on the routes once the RTA sanctions permits. The Union government has sanctioned 35 such buses to Mangaluru under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
Sources in KSRTC said that 10 such low-floor buses were under trial at various places to check their suitability and other requirements, including intelligent transport system.
Once the permits are granted and timings are finalised, the corporation would be in a position to deploy those buses, sources said.
1,102 people demand service between State Bank and Kunjathbail
562 applications demand services between State Bank and Kateel
