Private buses will no more ply to Kasargod

MANGALORE: Operation of private buses from Mangalore to Kasargod will soon become a thing of the past. This follows an order by the Supreme Court upholding the Karnataka State High Court order regarding cancellation of intra-state permits to private bus operators, which the state transport authorities of both Kerala and Karnataka will have to take cognizance of.
These intra-state permits were being used as inter-state permits. Already 40 operators have withdrawn services after their permits were not renewed. Another 47 permits will come for renewal over varying periods of time.
The Mangalore-Kasargod Inter State Bus Owners Association (MKIBOA) is hopeful of a favourable verdict in another pending case before the State Divisional Bench, which may give them some respite in this permit case.
In 2005, Kerala State Road Transportation Corporation (SRTC) employees approached the Karnataka High Court urging it to give directions to STA to cancel the intra-state permits, being used as inter-state by private operators to ply buses between Mangalore-Kasargod. In fact a petition was filed in Kerala High court also, which is still pending. Kerala STA also had converted intra-state to inter-state permits.
Prabhakar, advocate representing Kerala SRTC employees, told TOI that the STAs, due to some misrepresentation of facts in Motor Vehicle Act (MVA), had modified the permits. He said in reality, Section 88 of MVA does not allow such modification.
While private buses started operating in 1992-93, the Kerala and Karnataka SRTCs had signed the inter-state agreement way back in 1976. When Kerala SRTC employees realized that they were deep in the red due to private operators, they filed the petition in the courts.
Bhaskar Salian, secretary of MKIBOA puts the working permits at 72, of which 60 are operational. Salian admits the SC verdict is a set back, but says there is an earlier high court ruling that when two STCs make an agreement and if private buses operate on that route, they too should be made party to the agreement. "We are awaiting a verdict on this appeal of ours before the divisional bench'', said Salian.
Prabhakar Reddy, Mangalore divisional traffic officer of Karnataka SRTC asserted the stoppage of private buses would not affect the public as both SRTCs had a robust network of buses with five to seven minute frequency.
stanly.pinto@timesgroup.com