M'lore/Udupi: Much-awaited KSRTC Volvo Bus Service Inaugurated
Pics: Sphoorty Ullal/Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network- Mangalore/Udupi (RS/SP)
Mangalore, Mar 27: The long-awaited Volvo bus service on the Mangalore-Manipal route started by Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) was simultaneously inaugurated on the morning of Saturday March 27 in the city and Manipal. With this, a new chapter in the era of public transportation system in the coastal districts has been unveiled, duly warding off the speculations and doubts that had arisen about the practicability of starting such a service.
Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister, Krishna J Palemar, flagged off the Volvo bus service from the service bus stand near the State Bank region in the city. The Volvo service that offers air-conditioned and comfortable ambience, and the convenience of low footboard facility and equipped with modern technology, will attract the passengers bound for Udupi and Manipal, who want speed and comfort. The bus will have stops in Suratkal, Mulky, Padubidri and Udupi. State home minister, Dr V S Acharya, inaugurated the Volvo bus service from near the service bus stand in Manipal. A total of six Volvo buses will run between these two destinations.
“This is a special gift for the people of this coastal district,” said Krishna J Palemar, after flagging of the Volvo bus service. He added that Volvo bus service to Kasaragod will also be inaugurated soon, after getting permit clearance from the state authority. The KSRTC plans to run six Volvo buses on the Kasaragod route, he added.
A total of six Volvo buses that will ply between the city and Manipal, will be available between 7.30 am and 6.30 pm, on an hourly basis. The travelling fare will be Rs 60 to Manipal from Mangalore, Rs 55 to Udupi, Rs 40 to Padubidri, Rs 35 to Mulky and Rs 20 to Surathkal. On the return trip, the Volvo buses will cost Rs 10 between Manipal and Udupi, Rs 30 to Padubidri, Rs 40 to Mulky and Rs 50 to Suratkal.
City mayor, Rajani Dugganna, deputy commissioner of the district, V Ponnuraj, superintendent of police, Dr A S Rao, KSRTC divisional controller. Karumbaiah etc., were present at the inaugural. Local MLA, Raghupati Bhat and MP, D V Sadanand Gowda, were present at the time the Volvo bus was flagged off from Manipal.