Private bus drivers, conductors’ information gathered to improve service

• Initiative to prevent breaking of rules

Mangaluru: The police have noticed that a few conductors and drivers of private buses plying in the city willfully break traffic rules. To put an end to this reckless behavior, the traffic police, as well as the bus owners association, has decided to collect information on bus drivers and conductors.

It has been decided to collect information of all the bus drivers and conductors of the 363 private buses plying in the city including their name, address, Aadhaar number and other comprehensive information. In order to draft the data, the private bus owners association has already distributed applications to the bus owners. The application will collect information from the driver and conductors as per their verified Aadhaar Card including their name, address and phone number. Also, bus name, bus route, bus number and other related information too will be collected.

This facility has been implemented by Bengaluru auto Rickshaw organization and through this, it has been possible to bring down illegal activities. Hence, it has been thought to be implemented in the district as well. In the recent days, action was being taken against buses flouting rules. The action consequently used to only affect the bus owners. But with the collected information it will be easier to directly fine the bus driver or conductor.

Conductors are going to get badge facility

There have been thoughts that conductors of private buses must have name badges on their uniform and this facility will be implemented in a few days. The Transport Department has already passed the rule that all city buses must issue tickets through electronic ticket machine and the rule was passed on September 1^st last year. Yet, the number of individuals flouting rules did not reduce. The badge facility will be useful in preventing this. If in case the conductor fails to follow rules, it will be easier for the passenger to report the conductor’s name to the related official.

One pass per year

The bus owners association has been providing bus passes on a concession rate to school/college students and the association has decided to relax the rules. Currently, one pass was issued valid for 6 months and there are thoughts to extend the validity for a year.

Strict action

“Individual information profile will help in easy identification of bus conductors and drivers who flout rules. In order to put an end to illegal activity, the traffic police has been conducting bus inspection at random locations and issuing fines,” informed Manjunath Shetty, Traffic SP, Mangaluru.

An important decision in the meeting

On August 25^th, private bus owners association will conduct a meeting and discussion on the problems faced by passengers. We will also decide on the action to be taken to ensure that the bus drivers and conductors will follow the rules,” said Dilraj Alva, president of the private bus owners association.