Here is a picture that i have taken from Mundakkayam bus station. Around 30+ students were waiting to get into a private bus "Kondody Motors" which is going to Nedungandam. I got surprised after seeing this scene. There were some passengers sitting inside the bus, obviously they are not students. These students are allowed to enter just before few seconds of the departure time.
This is happening not only in Mundakkayam but also you can see this type of incidents towards students by Private bus operators in almost all parts of Kerala, where the majority is private buses. Whilst these private bus requires them to give one rupee tickets, most of them try all they can do to avoid the students.
Recently i heard a news that some private operators started students only buses in Kasargod district during school times. The concessional bus fare for students is still 50 paise, which was fixed years back. Either this should revise or KSRTC should start more buses in the private dominated regions to avoid such type of incidents.
This is really a sad situation. I have seen it in Thrisuur bus station and in many other places. But here in ernakulam students can report such abuses to police and they are taking strict action against such bus enployees. The concession given to students is the right of students. Not a favour from private bus operators / employees. I think students can complain about it to police all over Kerala.
ReplyDeleteThere are only a very few private bus dominated routes where KSRTC offer concession to students. It should change. KSRTC should concession to students in all ordinary buses irrespective of the route.
It is KSRTC to be blamed.. They do not allow concession to students on most routes. The concession fare is unbelievably low - its high time the government increased student's concession fares. 50% is logical, but the current fares are too low. Obviously bus operators would try to avoid carrying students. KSRTC should offer concessions to students irrespective of whether private buses operate or not - plus students should be given single Concessions cards which is valid across all buses (private or KSRTC).
ReplyDeleteThat is a good suggestion..!! Card will be valid in both private and KSRTC, so problems wil be solved to an extend and things will come to managebale.
ReplyDeleteCONCESSION is students right. And bus service, is not only profit making, while giving permit it is mentioned as service. and govt is fixed the rate for the service also. so both private and ksrtc should obay this. authorities should take action against those private buses who are not allowed to pick the students. and , if they can't ksrtc should operate students only buses like trivandrum.
ReplyDelete@Anil.. I agree that bus service is not only Profit Making. But since the government insists on giving concession, it should ensure that the government buses also do this. It is unfair to put the onus entirely private buses. I am not a private bus supporter - but what KSRTC is doing is completely unfair.
ReplyDelete