The Dakshina Kannada Road Transport Authority on Thursday decided to call objections to Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation’s applications to operate services on Mangaluru-Moodbidri-Karkala route.
During the grievance redressal meeting held before the meeting of the Road Transport Authority (RTA) here on Thursday, a city bus commuter sought more buses on the Mangaluru-Moodbidri-Karkala route.
KSRTC Mangaluru Divisional Traffic Officer M.B. Jaishanth Kumar told Deputy Commissioner K.G. Jagadeesha, who chaired the meeting, that there were 16 applications filed by KSRTC seeking permission to operate buses between KSRTC bus terminus and Karkala via Moodbidri. These applications were filed in 2010.
Mr. Jagadeesha said that the RTA cannot allow KSRTC to operate buses from State Bank Circle in view of the District Magistrate Notification in 1993 barring issuance of fresh permits. “In view of the demand, we (the RTA) can consider applications if permit is sought from KSRTC bus terminus,” Mr. Jagadeesha said.
Later, in the RTA meeting, Mr. Jagadeesha directed the Regional Transport Officer to publish details of the applications filed by KSRTC in newspapers at the earliest and seek objections.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) M. Sanjeev Patil said that the city traffic police will, from Friday, enforce the rule making it mandatory for buses and other heavy vehicles to use the left side of the road. Except under exceptional circumstances, buses will not be allowed to move by the side of the road median, he said.
Among the other decisions taken during the RTA meeting included a direction to city buses to reserve a total of four seats in buses for senior citizens. One month time was given for private bus operators to have route details painted by the side of the front and rear doors. They were also asked to post time-keepers at important bus stops, who, along with police constables, will ensure buses move out of the bus stops soon after passengers board them.
The RTA decided to have an RTO helpline for people to report city buses that do not issue tickets.
