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.