Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jan 13: A meeting of the Regional Transport Authority of the district to consider proposal mooted by the private bus owners for the upward revision of bus fares, was held at the office of the district deputy commissioner here on Wednesday January 12.

While the bus owners insisted on fare hike, representatives of passengers resisted the move. Deputy commissioner, P Hamalata, announced that a final decision will be taken and made known soon.

Both Rajavarma Ballal, president of Canara Bus Owners Association, and Udupi City Bus Owners Association representative, Suresh Nayak, said that it has become difficult to operate the buses because of steep rise in the prices of diesel and spare parts. They pleaded for a 10 percent hike in the fares.

K Damodar Aithal of Consumers Forum, A P Kodancha, and several others pointed out that frequent fare hikes have taken place already, and in several buses, minimum fare of five rupees is being collected instead of four rupees fixed earlier. They alleged that fake tickets are being used by buses, and felt that the bus owners can manage their revenues, if they are able to plug leakage of income.

Additional superintendent of police, Venkateshappa, and regional transport officer, Ramesh, were present at the meeting.