Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (TU/CN) 

Mangalore, Feb 24: The public has sought a 40 per cent cut in existing fare of private buses operating in the district with immediate effect following the reduction in prices of diesel. 

The demand was put forth in the Regional Transport Authority’s (RTA) public hearing on bus fares held at the deputy commissioners building on Tuesday February 24.  

The public also demanded that the RTO fix the minimum charge at Rs 2.50 instead of the existing Rs 4. They also demanded 50 per cent reservation in seats for ladies.  

Meanwhile, the representatives of the Canara Bus Operators’ Association and DK District Bus Owners’ Association asked the deputy commissioner (DC) Ponnuraj, who is also RTA chairman, to revise the fare considering the 2005 notification.  

All India Bus Operators’ Confederation president Rajavarma Ballal said that they would take the issue to court in case the RTA failed to consider the 2005 notification while revising the bus fare. He also gave a detailed account of the maintenance cost of buses. 

DK Bus Owners’ Association general secretary Azeez Parthipady urged the DC to consider the fare that existed in October 2008.  

DYFI activist Sunil Kumar, Congress leader P V Mohan, Lolaksha of AHINDA, and other public representatives claimed that the government should nationalize bus routes in the district if private bus operators are not ready to negotiate for a reasonable fare.  

DC Ponnuraj said that the authority was open to receive any objections or opinions from the public till the end of the week. 

The rate would be fixed according to the formula adapted for earlier revisions. The decisions in the meeting held in Udupi were also taken into consideration. The fare would be the same in undivided Dakshina Kannada district.  

He also directed bus owners to install Geographical Positioning Systems (GPS) in their buses.