Mangalore University (MU) has embarked on a project to document the significant contributions of private buses to the coastal region’s development. The university has partnered with the Dakshina Kannada Bus Operators Association (DKBOA) to create a comprehensive report highlighting the role of these services, which have been operational for over a century.
This initiative follows several meetings with private bus stakeholders. Vice-Chancellor PL Dharma emphasized that the history of private bus services in Dakshina Kannada extends beyond 100 years. MU aims to academically analyze this sector’s impact and reintroduce its historical significance to the public domain through a new platform.
The university’s commerce department has been assigned to oversee the project. The primary goal is to study the history of private bus services and present their stories to both national and international audiences. The research will focus on how these services have become integral to local life and the Mangalore model’s potential for national introduction.
Two formal meetings with DKBOA representatives, including Ajeez Parthipady, Dilraj Alva, and Ramachandra Pillar, have been held to discuss the project. The first phase will involve a pilot study to gather data on bus services, passenger numbers, employment statistics, and financial transactions. Additionally, the research will cover contributions to communal harmony, economic and educational development, job creation, and social welfare activities.
The project will also highlight the historical innovation of the private bus sector, which established a courier system akin to modern e-commerce models.