30 bus permits remain unused in Mangalore

DHNS

• M’lore RTO had cancelled 11 permits in 2009

Mangalore, 06 December 2010: Even when people in rural areas make hue and cry for bus services, about 30 private bus permits issued by the Mangalore Road Transport Authority are remaining unused as the operators do not ply buses on the prescribed routes for various reasons.

 

As per the official statistics, there are 1,410 bus permits, of which 915 are issued by the Mangalore Road Transport Office (RTO) alone and 495 by the State Transport Authority. The Mangalore RTO had cancelled 11 permits for not plying buses on the routes in 2009.

 

However, no permits have been cancelled so far in 2010 for not adhering to rules. In-charge Road Transport Officer Seva Nayak told Deccan Herald that many operators have surrendered their permits either to carry out maintenance work or because of some other reasons. Meanwhile, some operators have obtained court orders to surrender their permits, he explained adding that showcause notices are being served to the permit holders, if they do not ply buses on the prescribed routes.

 

According to the officials, the total number of buses, which do not ply on the prescribed routes, is only about 30. In fact, it is very difficult for the officials to record the actual number as there is no separate wing in the Mangalore RTO to monitor the movements of the buses. Officials come to know about non-compliance on part of the permit holders, only when passengers complain.

 

Nayak said that the movement of the buses can be monitored effectively once GPS was made compulsory in all buses. A decision in this regard will be taken at the RTA meeting, he added.

 

Revenue

 

Though the Mangalore RTO  has shortage of staff with nearly 25 per cent of the sanctioned post remaining vacant, the officials could achieve about 65 per cent of the annual target in revenue collection within six months. “The annual target for revenue collection is Rs 80 crore, but we have achieved 65 per cent of the target by collecting 51.93 crore within six months,” Nayak said adding that the Mangalore office has collected additional Rs 10.93 crore as revenue in six months. He said that the the Mangalore office has 74 staff against the sanctioned post of 98 and 24 posts are remaining vacant.