PANJIM, SEPT 27
Lawlessness by private bus conductors will come under scanner of Transport Department who has decided to initiate an extensive drive against them from October 1 onwards.
Transport Director Arun Desai told Herald that the department officials held a meeting with private bus operators and representatives from Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) on Monday and has decided to implement this drive.
Desai said that the conductors without uniform, non-issuing of tickets and rugged number plates on the buses will not be tolerated.
“We will take stern action against these irregularities which are against the Motor Vehicle Act,” the director said.
Today’s meeting in Panjim was the fall out of the demand by private bus operators who had accused Kadamba Transport Corporation of harassing them.
Desai said that the private bus operators were present for the meeting which discussed various issues that ails the public transport system.
“Since bus owners have conceded that they cannot control the conductors, we have decided to have this drive,” he said.
Automatic Tallying Machine (ATM) system planned to be implemented for ticket collection in the buses was also discussed during the meeting.
Private bus operators have said that they are ready to have ATMs in their buses only after KTCL implements it.
The meeting also resolved to have detailed schedule of shuttle service buses at Mapusa bus stand. It was also decided that shuttle service and private buses plying between Sanvordem and Margao will have uniform ticket fare.
KTCL also assured the cleanliness of Margao bus stand which is in a shabby condition.
The crucial issue of Kadamba buses entering Vasco city eating into the pie of city buses could not be resolved in the meeting today.
It was decided that city buses, KTCL and private bus operators in Vasco will soon meet and work out a solution.
Desai said that the next meeting between KTCL, Transport department and private bus owners is scheduled on October 19.
