KSRTC to re-launch Mumbai service

KSRTC to re-launch Mumbai service

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, July 9, 2015 :The Mangaluru Division of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) would re-introduce the Mangaluru-Mumbai Airavat (Volvo) bus service from next week. It had cancelled the service from the last week of June.

The Corporation has come under severe criticism from all corners in the coastal district for cancelling the service and completely ignoring the age-old bond between the two coastal cities. Thousands of people from the coastal Karnataka have settled in Mumbai and have been travelling between the two regions regularly.

District Kannada Sahitya Parishat president Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, in a letter to KSRTC and the Transport Minister, said it was regrettable the Corporation has cancelled the service on the grounds of poor patronage. He said KSRTC has earned a good name in passenger service across the State as well as the country. “Providing transport service to the general public is the duty of the Corporation,” he said. When private bus operators could offer excellent bus service between Mangaluru and Mumbai, it is a surprise that the Corporation is unable to provide the same. He demanded immediate reintroduction of the cancelled services.

Multi-axle bus

KSRTC’s Mangaluru Divisional Controller Vivekanand Hegde told The Hindu that the Corporation would reintroduce the service with a multi-axle coach (Airavat Club Class) from next week. Mr. Hegde defended the Corporation’s decision to discontinue the service as it was incurring losses during the monsoon. The cost on diesel alone would come to Rs. 36,000 for a round trip, while the earnings was around Rs. 45,000, he said.

Though private operators continue to operate their services, they would charge hefty fares up to Rs. 3,000 per seat during peak season. KSRTC cannot indulge in such practices and has to collect fares within the set parameters, he said.

 

Courtesy: The Hindu