Mangaluru: Following the launch of the Priyadarshini free travel scheme in Kerala, Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses operating between Kasaragod and Mangaluru have witnessed a significant increase in passenger numbers, particularly during peak hours. It may be noted that Kerala and Karnataka RTCs operate alternately on the route, with each handling one direction at a time.Sameeksha Bhandary from Hosangadi, who works in Mangaluru, said that passenger numbers on Kerala SRTC buses have risen sharply over the past three days, adding that she was unable to board one on Thursday, and had to take a Karnataka bus instead.Another student from Thalapady said that people wait for Kerala buses in Kotekar Beeri and Thokkotu.A commuter from Uppala working in Mangaluru said buses arrive overcrowded from Kasaragod, leaving passengers at other stops unable to board.Private bus operators on the Talapady–State Bank route have reported a drop in passenger numbers.Likhith Kumar, a private bus owner on the route, alleged that though Kerala SRTC buses have limited designated stops, they halt at undesignated stops.He said that if the problem continued, this will add to their existing troubles of increasing expenses, on tax, loans, diesel and maintenance, leaving minimal earnings.He added that passengers, including women students from Beeri and nearby areas, have shifted to Kerala SRTC services.A Kerala SRTC official from the Kasaragod depot said that the number of women passengers has been steadily increasing, with 34,000 free tickets issued on Wednesday, up from 32,000 on Tuesday.Kerala SRTC currently operates 29 services to Mangaluru, including 26 ordinary buses, while depots such as Payyannur, Kanhangad and Thalassery run one-trip services each.An official from the Karnataka SRTC Mangaluru division said their buses have seen a decline in passengers, as many women prefer Kerala SRTC services, though the impact on student commuters remains less.Meanwhile, Manjeshwar MLA AKM Ashraf said that he plans to discuss the matter with Kerala’s transport minister regarding increasing the number of services.
