Ganesh Prabhu/The Hindu

• Bus shelters are being built in Udupi for the third time now
• Elderly commuters find it tough at the bus stand
• Some say the changes are a ‘positive sign’

Udupi, Mar 19: Passengers have a tough time at the City Bus Stand here. The bus shelters demolished twice at the bus stand in the last 10 years, are being built for the third time. People who travel on city buses have varied opinions about the existing situation and future requirements.

For senior citizen K.D. Aithal, who travels regularly by city buses, basic facilities at the bus stand are a must. Says Mr. Aithal, "The authorities have demolished the existing bus shelters. Their objective of building new shelters, especially in the light of the current road-widening going on in the city, is good. But it is difficult for senior citizens to stand in the hot sun to catch a bus to Manipal. They should install boards which give details about the destination, the ticket rates and the bus companies (the city buses in Udupi are owned by the private sector) operating the services. The surface at the bus stand is uneven. An old man like me finds it tough to get in and out of the bus stand."

Another senior citizen H. Gopala Bhat wants the buses to be parked in a systematic manner. He says, "It is difficult to make out which bus is going to which place. All the bus conductors shout [to attract passengers] simultaneously adding to the confusion. Some of the buses enter the bus stand at such a speed that we have to run to dodge them. The bus stand should be cleaned regularly. The lack of proper toilet is a big problem."

However, Lakshmeesha Bhat, who works as a computer operator, finds the changes taking place at the bus stand a "positive sign". He says, "So far only one bus shelter has been constructed for the people going towards Malpe, which is good. People going towards Manipal, Katapady and Doddanagudde have to face trouble as there is no bus shelter for them. But they will come up soon. The number of beggars harassing has gone down, though not eliminated."

General Secretary of Udupi City Bus Owners Association K. Suresh Nayak said with the construction of two roads — on the eastern and western sides —, the area of the bus stand has reduced drastically. "This has led to haphazard parking. Bus shelters with side protection should be built so that passengers do not suffer during the monsoon. The authorities should reserve an area in the northern side of the bus stand for labourers coming from Bijapur and other places to stand," he said.

Commissioner of Udupi City Municipal Council (CMC) Nagesh Shanbhag said "The construction of new bus shelters will take four months. A toilet is already being constructed."