Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (EP)

Bengaluru, Oct 25: The implementation of Shakti Scheme providing free travel for women in government buses in the state has adversely affected the private buses in the state. Nearly 20,000 private buses have stopped operations. The private buses plying to villages during the day do not get passengers. The federation of private passenger buses have demanded a waiver of tax and other charges by the government.

The families that depend on the salary of private bus employees are facing hardships and expecting government assistance.

The private passenger bus industry which had suspended their operation due to Covid was improving. There are about 70,000 private buses in the state. Nearly 40% buses which are facing passenger scarcity, the burden of taxes and various other constraints have stopped their operations.

Only buses that run to distant villages at night have some demand. Women travel to tourist centres also by government buses during the day, said the federation of private passenger buses.

Lacs of families mostly less educated depended on the income from private buses. As nearly twenty thousand buses stopped running, nearly 70,000 families have come to the street. They have to inevitably look for other jobs.

The minister of transport Ramaliga Reddy has said that the matter has been brought to the notice of the chief minister and suitable action is being taken.