Mangaluru: Citing reasons such as a shortage of or a lack of passengers, private and government buses have cut the number of trips or forced passengers to alight in the middle of the route. Though the police department has warned of serious measures in this regard, they have failed to keep a check of such practices till now.
The most recent instance of such an incident was reported from Udupi two days ago. According to sources, a total of 16 passengers were forced to alight from a KSRTC bus in Udupi, even though they paid for travel till Manipal from Mangaluru. As it was late in the evening, they requested the bus conductor and driver to take them to Manipal. However, their pleas fell on deaf ears and they were asked to alight the bus.
Reaching out to Mangaluru Commissioner of Police P S Harsha regarding the issue on Twitter, a netizen wrote, “… happens always. Late evening buses take ticket money to Manipal but ditch passengers in Udupi. No mercy no courtesy. Just order. This happened to my nephew today, plus 16 others. Request your intervention dear Sir. (sic)”
In response to the complaint, the compol instructed the Divisional Controller of KSRTC to conduct an inquiry into the matter and to take necessary action.
When contacted by Newskarnataka.com, Commissioner Harsha confirmed the incident and informed that he is yet to receive a report from the Divisional Controller of KSRTC.
It can be noted that during the weekly phone-in-programme at the compol’s office, most of the complaints were pertaining to the transport department and their violations of the traffic guidelines.
