Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, May 8: Issues, like extending concession in periodical taxes on private buses, and extending insurance premium payment date by two months, are likely to come up for discussion at a meeting of bus operators being held at Bengaluru on Friday in the presence of the transport minister.

Even though buses are allowed to move around in green zones, passenger transport has not begun in the district because of various conditions. At the meeting chaired by the deputy commissioner on Wednesday, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) was asked to conduct a route survey and file a report.

However, resumption of services poses various problems for the private operators as they cannot take more than 50 per cent of the passenger capacity of their buses and they need to sanitise the buses after each trip. Fares are not allowed to be hiked. KSRTC is agreeable for these conditions.

The private buses have been parked at various spots for since the past 40 days under the hot sun. Naturally, these buses will face problems like starting problem, need to change tyres, batteries. Engine oil leakage, body painting, gearbox problems are also likely.

Bus operators have been demanding to extend tax concession for two months, extend insurance premium payment deadline by two months, provision of special package to bus employees, provision of diesel for next three months at Rs 10 per litre, no case if accidentally buses are found carrying a little more than the permissible limit, an arrangement to sanitize buses should be made by district and local administrations, and masks and sanitisers should be brought by the passengers.

Bus owners associations which have placed these demands say that they will face losses on account of carrying only 50 per cent of the passenger capacity. They hope that their demands will be favourably considered at Friday's meeting.