Thiruvananthapuram: The private bus owners in the city have sworn to fight against KSRTC’s move to bar their entry to East Fort Bus bay situated on the main road. KSRTC has contested that the 90-cent bus bay was their property. Deccan Chronicle had earlier reported of KSRTC officials placing barrels to bar private buses from parking here. They have also requested Regional Transport Authority (RTA) under the district collector to pass an order clarifying this.
However, private bus owners claimed that the bus bay land sits on poramboke. They claim the right to stop buses on the road here which was tarred by the PWD. "This new move comes as an act of vengeance against few private bus owners who are in legal frays with KSRTC on various issues," said a bus owner who has been operating services in the capital since 1931. As per bus owners, the tussle originally started when KSRTC sought to ply new buses at any location without having to wait for a permit.
This destroyed the level playing field in the city where private buses operate 100 routes, and KSRTC 420. "KSRTC started running four to five buses on the same route where our buses service. As a result, my profit, as well as KSRTC's profits, dipped. Rather than concentrating on efforts to deny other's business, efforts should be taking to debt ridden corporation," he added.
