Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, May 18: The state government, which has decided to maintain status quo as regards lockdown for two days, has not spelt out its stand on the resumption of bus services in Dakshina Kannada district.

News that private buses will not take to roads till September end is making the rounds in social media but Karnataka State Bus Operators Union president Rajavarma Ballal denied having taken any such decision by the union. He said that the bus owners are waiting for the clearance from the government to run the buses again.

"After receipt of the directions by the state government, we have to first verify which regions have been chosen for running the buses. Passengers have to be accommodated by maintaining social distance norm. It would be difficult to run buses at the current fares. We have already asked the government for a 50 per cent hike in the fare. If the government issues notification on this demand, we will begin to operate buses as soon as we get the orders," he stated.

Ballal pointed out that the state government has only extended the date for payment of road tax, but not extended tax concession. Because of this problem, a large number of private and city buses have been surrendered to the Regional Transport Office. This process has been followed to avail road tax concession. Even if lockdown is eased and buses are allowed to be run now, some owners have decided to run buses from June as otherwise, they have to pay road tax for the entire month of May," he explained.

He added that no decision on operating KSRTC buses in Dakshina Kannada district has been taken and that the KSRTC officials have clarified that they will begin to operate buses in phases if the lockdown is lifted.

On Sunday, arrangements were made for the passengers at KSRTC bus stand here to follow social distancing my marking slots for queues, in expectation of the lockdown being lifted.