Bantwal: The situation became tense near B C Road bus stand when the passengers stopped a KSRTC bus which arrived late making them to wait for hours here on Thrsday night. The passengers also manhandled an irresponsible D C point controller of the nearby KSRTC office.
Soon the Bantwal town head constable forcibly stopped the protesters and allowed the bus to move. The head constable held discussions with the controller. Instead of arranging additional buses from the local depot for the passengers, he just tried to convince them, which further angered the protesters.
Inefficient and insuffiient KSRTC services on Mangaluru – Dharmasthala route
A bus heading from Mangaluru to Dharmasthala arrived at B C Road at 7.30 pm which had more than 100 passengers. Consequently many people had to remain at the bus stand and wait for the next bus. But the passengers were stranded at the Bus stand as three to four buses which everyday move on the route were cancelled. The next bus arrived at 9.30 pm which too, had many passengers.
The stranded passengers who were made to wait for hours then got agitated and stopped the bus and protested against the KSRTC system of functioning.
The behavior of the KSRTC officer further angered the protesters as he was busy chatting with a nearby shop owner in a nearby commercial complex.
This is not the first time, that such an incident has happened.
The Dharmasthala route provides maximum revenue to KSRTC. Passengers had requested for additional buses at the peak hours of morning and evening. But the officials have not responded to their demands. As there no private buses on the Mangaluru-Dharmasthala route, passengers suffer.
Lack of staff
There is also a lack of conductors and drivers on the Dharmasthala-Mangaluru route. The present staff who are from other districts go for week long leave which is also a reason for lack of buses.
Demand for Private buses
Earlier KSRTC used to compete with private buses. But now there are no private buses. Passengers wait for hours due to an inefficient KSTRC system and finally travel in private vehicles like taxis. Passengers who are fed up of inefficient KSRTC service, have demanded for private buses. They have requested Transport department and district administration to permit private buses on the route to no avail,The passengers have agitated earlier too against the KSRTC bus officials. Now the enraged passengers say that the officials are testing their patience have warned of holding a protest on the highway.
