From our special correspondent
Daijiworld media network
Bengaluru, Feb. 21: As part of the first part of implementation of the budgetary promises, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has announced that steps will be initiated to provide a free bus pass facility for working women and school children from April 1.
Speaking after dedicating KSRTC's Volvo Multi Axel BS4-9600 Sleeper Buses here on Tuesday, he said the purpose of chalking out this scheme was to enable women to become self-reliant with respect.
He asked the State Transport undertakings to introduce mini school buses and in the meanwhile, the existing buses will be utilized to start the operation. At the time of starting schools, a minimum of five buses must be operated in each taluk, he said.
The Chief Minister assured that more grants will be released, if necessary.
Public transport plays an important role in economic development because of this it has been given priority and announced free pass facility for working women and school children in the state budget FY 2023-24. Our government is always with the working staff and the management and let us provide a good service to the commuters,’’ he said.
New facility Ambari
The Chief Minister said a special transport service called Ambari was dedicated to the state and the new service will have sleeper facility.
Several good features are provided in this fleet of buses just like the railway sleeper coaches, he said pointing out that the earlier edition of Volvo buses were not comfortable and understanding this the multi-axel buses have been designed to provide good facilities to the commuters.
Henceforth, he said the night journey on these buses will be comfortable. The state transport corporation should buy some more buses.
Need plan to make a profit
Bommai said the KSRTC has a rich history and had been providing quality service.
"During college days, we were traveling in the red buses and at that time there was a good relationship between driver and commuters. Even today, rural people will like to identify their journey with KSRTC. But now it is facing stiff competition from the private operators who operate the buses only on the profit-making routes and other routes to the STC,’’ he said.
The need of the hour was to make prepare plans to make a profit by operating the buses in the service sector as well as in commercial routes and chalk out the operation accordingly.
Plug leakage, increase profit
The Chief Minister said he is optimistic of seeing a sea-change in the KSRTC in the coming days and wished it must stand on its strength for which steps are taken.
"All sectors witnessed steep falls post-Covid pandemic and it did not spare even KSRTC. At that time, the government intervened and extended financial help for almost two years to pay the salary, fuel expenses, and other. The government had given Rs 4600 crore to STC which has been in losses and recently another Rs 1000 crore was given,’’ he said.
Bommai said: We are ready to provide all kinds of support including tax concession. But the Corporations must plug the leakage and focus on making a profit. Transparency must be ensured in the purchase of spare parts, oil and tyres. It is the wish of everyone that the STC must make a profit.
Win peoples hearts
The Chief Minister said a proposal has been submitted seeking a hike in the staff salary and a suitable decision will be taken after looking into the financial commitments and discussing it with the employees.
He said technology is changing so are the choices of commuters. By taking note of the same, they must compete with the private operators and win the peoples hearts.
Minister R Ashok, KSRTC Chairman Chandrappa, Vice-President Mohan Mensinkai, MLAs Somashekar Reddy, Satish Reddy, former IAS officer M R Srinivasamurthy and the Chief Ministers Principal Secretary N Manjunath Prasad and others were present.