Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru/Udupi (MS)

Mangaluru/Udupi, Jun 22: Drivers of private buses and auto-rickshaws have expressed objection on the Shakti scheme of the new Congress government which provides free bus facility for women.

The drivers said that they are suffering losses and find it difficult to carry on with their life. Women who used to travel in private buses are travelling in government buses even if they have to stand for the journey. Only men are seen in private buses.

Though there are very few government buses under the limits of MCC, government buses are more on Puttur-Mangaluru and Dharmasthala-Mangaluru routes. The number of women passengers in government buses is doubled. On the contrary, income of private buses has gone down. Women who used to go to market on auto-rickshaws are waiting for government buses. This has caused drastic income loss for auto-rickshaw drivers also.

A private bus conductor Jayaprakash said, “We report to duty at 5 am and work till night. If passengers are not there our collection will be low. In government buses they are loading more passengers than specified. We have to put diesel and pay taxes whether passengers are there or not. Also we should get our salaries. No one understands our difficulties.”

Shivananda, a private bus driver said, “We do not object the Shakti scheme of the government. However, without taking pros and cons of other sectors the decision is taken which has put us in difficulty. The government should also provide guarantee to us also.”