Daijiworld media network – Udupi (TP)

Udupi, May 31: Karnataka state federation of bus owners associations has demanded state government to extend the free bus ride facility for women in private buses too.

Kuilady Suresh Nayak, president, Karnataka State Federation of Bus Owners' Association, speaking to media said, “As some districts do not have government buses, and private buses operate in majority, the government schemes will not be useful in these districts. I am requesting the state government and department of transportation to make arrangements for free passes to be given to women to make it applicable in private buses if the government grants money through tax or diesel subsidy to private buses. If the state government passes an order stating that free passes can be used in both government and private buses and if the money is reimbursed for private bus owners then we are ready to start providing free rides for women in private buses. If a free ticket is issued only in a government bus, then the bus will be filled with women, so men could not travel in the government bus. 

“There are a total of 8000 private buses and 20,000 government buses. Members of Karnataka State Federation of Bus Owners' Association will meet the chief minister, deputy chief minister and transport minister, and place our demand. Providing free tickets on private buses will not harm the government. The government can reimburse the money through tax deduction and diesel subsiby,” he said.