Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, May 23: A fare hike in private bus services has become “unavoidable” due to rising diesel prices, escalating spare parts costs, taxes, and insurance premiums, the Dakshina Kannada Private Bus Owners’ Association has said. However, the association has ruled out an immediate revision and will instead wait for a month to closely monitor cost trends before arriving at a final decision.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Association president Aziz Parthippadi said bus fares have remained unchanged for the past five years, making revision inevitable under current financial pressures.

He said the association would carry out a “scientific assessment” of diesel price movements and overall operational costs over the coming month before taking a call on fare revision.

With the onset of the monsoon and the reopening of educational institutions, the association also stressed the need for smoother commuter handling. It said drivers and conductors would be instructed to maintain courteous behaviour towards passengers, especially students, avoid inconvenience to commuters, and ensure safe and cautious driving in heavy rains so that passengers reach their destinations without disruption.

The Association also flagged several civic and traffic bottlenecks in the city that, it said, are severely affecting bus operations and punctuality. It pointed out that waterlogging during rains at Bijai KSRTC Junction continues to cause inconvenience to road users and demands urgent corrective action.

It further noted that persistent congestion at KPT-Nanthoor Junction is disrupting bus schedules and making it difficult to maintain timetable discipline. Similar traffic bottlenecks, it said, are being witnessed at Kuntikana Junction, Lalbagh Junction, PVS Junction and Bunts Hostel Junction, where heavy congestion is delaying public transport movement across the city.

Raising concerns over safety at public transport hubs, the association also alleged that anti-social activities have been increasing around the State Bank Bus Stand, particularly in the evenings. It said women waiting for buses after dark are facing safety risks, and demanded the establishment of a dedicated police outpost at the busy terminal.

Those present at the briefing included vice-president K Ramachandra Nayak, general secretary Ramachandra Pillar, and treasurer Joel Dil Raj Fernandes.