Battle continues between private bus owners, Transport Dept

Battle continues between private bus owners, Transport Dept
AGBOA against transport director conducting meet, threatens boycott
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, SEPT 26
Once again the battle lines have been drawn between the private bus owners and the Transport Department with latter warning to boycott Monday’s meeting called by the government to discuss their demands.
The All Goa Bus Owners Association (AGBOA) has also decided to go on indefinite hunger strike from October 4 if their demands are not met.
The AGBOA members had a meeting at T B Cunha Hall in Panjim on Sunday afternoon and decided to boycott the meeting if it is conducted by Transport Director Arun Dessai.
Taking objection to transport director holding the meeting, Sudeep Tamankar, General Secretary of AGBOA, said Arun Dessai has been appointed as Managing Director of Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC).
The main grouse of AGBOA has been KTC and has alleged harassment by KTC claiming that it has been running its buses beyond schedule than what it has been permitted by the Transport Department.
It is also opposed to nationalisation of routes by the government.
However, speaking to Herald Transport Director Arun Desai clarified that grievances of the private bus owners have been effectively dealt with. In fact, there is no truth in their allegation against KTC and he has checked the records to see if there were any violations by KTC.
He said, private bus owners are probably feeling the pinch now because they have been busted.
The Association taken objection to exercise conducted by the department to check over-crowding in the buses claiming harassment.
The transport director however said after checking the buses at entry and exit points of the bus stands, they have discovered that more than 50 per cent of buses were over loaded. But no challans were issued as this was just monitoring exercise.
However, next time they will not be lenient – strong action will be taken against erring bus operators. Also, non-wearing of uniforms by the conductors and driver, non issuance of tickets to passengers, will be strongly dealt with.
On the other hand the Association of bus owners have warned to expose corrupt RTO by catching them live on camera accepting bribes.