Re-introduction of bus service in Udupi: Days collection barely cover fuel cost

Udupi, 15 May 2020: As many as seven buses were operated on select routes in Udupi district on Wednesday, day one of resumption of bus services.

 

The public response to the re-introduction of the bus service, since the lockdown however left the operators disappointed as the collection was barely enough to recover the fuel costs.

 

In this scenario, KSRTC has ruled out introducing additional buses on other routes for the time being. The buses that are being operated now are also likely to be stopped if passenger response is poor since it will only incur losses for the corporation.

 

Private bus owners too complained about plying the buses in the present situation while adhering to the rules put forth by the administration.

 

As per the protocols buses are required to run with half the capacity and sanitisation of buses after each trip has been made a must. With hardly five passengers on each trip, the owners said that they cant even recover the fuel costs.

 

It may be recalled that the demand to increase bus fare by Private Bus Operators was not agreed to by district administration.