The Hindu 07.02.2014
Udupi to get 30 low-floor buses in May
As many as 30 low-floor buses, which would be provided under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM), would hit the roads in Udupi city in either April or May.
These buses can ply within 20km distance (in one way from starting point to end point). The Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has already conducted a survey of the routes on which these buses can ply in the city. “We have already applied for the route permits to the Regional Transport Authority (RTA),” said M. Mahesh, Divisional Controller, Mangalore Division, KSRTC.
The introduction of these buses will help the students and senior citizens more than others as they would be able to get the concession available on these buses. Around 1.8 acres of land behind the present KSRTC Depot at Nittur on National Highway 66 here would be converted into a depot for the maintenance of these 30 buses.
“A separate depot and workshop would be set for the JnNURM buses,” said B.N. Rajappa, KSRTC Depot Manager, Udupi.
According to M.T. Reju, Deputy Commissioner, the KSRTC had sought route permits for Malpe and Manipal. But there was already thick bus density on these routes due to the operation of private buses.
The RTA had suggested to the KSRTC to run these low-floored buses on routes having lesser bus density or no buses at all. The KSRTC was yet to respond to this suggestion.
“After the KSRTC comes up with their proposal, we will hold a special RTA meeting and decide on the route permits.
There will not be much opposition from the private bus operators if the JnNURM buses ply on the less dense bus routes,” Mr. Reju said.
However the issue of where the bus stands, for these buses, should be located is yet to be resolved. There were proposals to start it from the existing City Bus Stand or some area near the Service Bus Stand or to construct a new Bus Stand exclusively for these buses near the present City Bus Stand. “All these options are open,” Mr. Reju said.
