More than 75 complaints in just 10 days!

• Whatsapp number for city bus passengers to complaint

Mangaluru: In order to make the city buses more passenger friendly, a sticker containing a whatsapp number has been installed within the city buses making it easier for passengers to register their complaints. In just 10 days since the installation of the stickers within the city buses, more than 75 complaints have been registered.

Of the many complaints received include complaints on a few private buses failing to issue tickets and hostile response from bus conductors and drivers. Besides, many have complained on the same issue during the weekly police phone-in programme. Though the Transport Department has conducted operations, it has not been able to control it. Noticing this, the Dakshina Kannada (DK) District Bus Owners Association has installed the stickers with helpline number to respond to the complaints of the passengers.

7-8 complaints daily

There are nearly 350 city buses functioning in the city and already, more than 200 buses have stuck handbills containing the helpline numbers. Daily, there are close to 7-8 complaints coming, which are being resolved immediately. City bus owners’ association president Dilraj spoke with ‘Udayavani’ and said that no complaint by a passenger is ignored. We immediately inform the particular bus owner. Sometimes, we directly contact the bus conductor or the driver, he said.

Mostly, its senior citizens

The public has expressed much appreciation for the installation of handbills containing whatsapp helpline number within the city buses. In that too, the senior citizens are showing good response by giving more complaints. They are also providing valuable suggestions, informed those associated with this action.

Several complaints, suggestions

“During the police phone-in programme, more complaints against the city buses were coming especially from the public. Therefore, we have installed a whatsapp number in the buses to give complaints. Already, it has been installed in more than 200 buses, and in just 10 days, we have received more than 75 complaints and suggestions,” said Dilraj Alva, President of the Private Bus owners Association (DK)

Article by Naveen Bhat Ilanthil translated into English by Aaron Dmello