Police to Fine KSRTC Buses for Overloading Following Shakti Scheme Passenger Surge

In response to a tragic incident where a student died after falling from the footboard of an overloaded private bus, the police in Mangaluru are stepping up enforcement against bus overloading. This crackdown has been spurred by public criticism, particularly on social media, calling out the lack of action in addressing overcapacity on buses.

The introduction of the Shakti scheme, which offers free bus rides to women, has caused a sharp increase in the number of passengers on Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses, especially during peak hours. In Mangaluru, KSRTC NERM buses, with a seating capacity of 30, are now carrying more than double the passengers, with some even hanging on footboards. This is particularly common on routes to Dharmasthala, Puttur, Talapady, and Mudipu.

To combat this, the police have announced that bus conductors will face fines if their buses are found overloaded. However, in an attempt to avoid penalties, some KSRTC drivers and conductors have stopped picking up passengers at busy stops, leading to frustration among commuters, especially office-goers and students.

KSRTC Mangaluru divisional controller Rajesh Shetty supports the police action, emphasizing that passenger safety is paramount. He also noted that KSRTC has created teams to carry out inspections and raise awareness among drivers and conductors. Traffic Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Dinesh Kumar has reaffirmed that footboard travel and overloading are illegal, and strict measures are needed to ensure public safety.

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