Guest column: Frequency, reason behind rise of bus mafia'
The private buses operate like a mafia, but why are they being encouraged? The answer is that they score brownie points when it comes to frequency.
If the KSRTC is managed well , connectivity is improved and there is an increase in the frequency of its buses, then the private bus services will no longer be as popular. The government knows this, but does nothing. The transport department needs to improve its functioning and ensure that the public prefers its services, leaving it no choice in the matter.
There are always chances for improvement, but the government is merely sitting on this although it is aware that the people are not happy with the way the KSRTC operates. While the people too know that the way private buses operate is scary, they still want to travel by them to reach their destination early.
There is talk that private buses will not be allowed into the city and will have to operate from the outskirts, but this move will give them more freedom. We need strict policing of these buses to make sure they are seized whenever they violate the law. But we see them blatantly violating the rules and posing a danger to fellow motorists on the roads.
Until and unless the transport department wakes up and takes the neccessary action, the private buses will continue to run as they please.