Kozhikode: The strike by private buses entered the third day on Sunday and the worst affected were people in rural areas. High range areas also faced the brunt as alternate modes of travel are few. The turnout of students has been poor in schools in rural interiors though school buses are plying more to cope with the situation. People have been finding it difficult to travel to towns such as Vadakara, Koyilandy, Perambra and Balusserry hence affecting the trading community. “People from Nadapuram, Kallachi, Valayam , etc are not coming to town now. In general, towns see only students and office goers now,” says Hassan Koya, a coconut trader in Vadakara.
Parallel jeep services have started plying in Theekuni, Kaiveli, Valayam but are not able to meet the demand. “Model exams are going on now. Students have to start off early from their homes to reach schools. Girl students are suffering more,” said Shabitha. N.R, teacher at Government HSS Valayam. Cashing in on the situation, KSRTC is running more services. According to Zonal Manager, Joshy John, the sinking corporation has made Rs 27 lakhs more on Friday.
“We are running additional services 10 minutes apart in Kannur, Kuttiyadi routes,” he said. But commuters say that the extra services are not enough. All the services were packed on Friday and Saturday. Delay of trains, due to the track maintenance work has added to the woes.
