Puttur: A new non-stop bus service named ‘Puttur Express’ has officially begun operations between Puttur and Mangaluru, aiming to complete the journey in under 60 minutes. The service was launched at the KSRTC bus stand in Puttur, in the presence of local leaders and transport officials.
Speaking at the event, MLA Ashok Rai announced that the express bus will run one trip every 23 minutes, with a total of 60 trips daily. In addition, city bus services for Puttur are on the way, along with five sleeper coach buses set to operate on the Mangaluru–Puttur–Bengaluru route. One of these services will pass through Vittla, offering expanded connectivity.
The MLA also highlighted staffing challenges at the Puttur depot, which had seen no new recruits in three years. This issue has now been addressed with the appointment of 380 new personnel to bolster operations.
The event saw participation from Umanath Shetty Perne, President of the Puttur Guarantee Implementation Committee; KSRTC Divisional Controller Amalingaiah B Hosapujari; and Committee District President Bharat Mundodi.
As part of the launch, six drivers—Uday Kumar, Raju Gajakesh, Giridhar, Naveenchandra, Amoghasiddha, and Balakrishna—were honored for their accident-free service. MLA Ashok Rai celebrated the moment by distributing roses and laddus to passengers, creating a festive atmosphere.