Single colour for private buses in the city

 Mangaluru: The topic on ‘colour coding’ or giving a single colour to all the private city buses in the city had been put forth during the smart city meeting three months back, but it has not yet been implemented officially. But a few self-motivated bus owners have already implemented this rule.

According to the proposal put forth during the smart city was that all private city buses will be painted in blue colour with three white running along its sides at the bottom. But the meeting expressed the opinion that the final decision regarding the issue could be taken only in another meeting. Later, elections were declared and the Model Code of Conduct came into effect because of which no meeting could be held.

Amidst this, a few self-motivated private bus owners, not waiting for the decision to be taken repainted their vehicles in the prescribed colour code.

Giving a single colour to the buses is convenient for the vehicle owners. They now do not need to spend huge amounts to get their buses painted to look attractive. There is no opportunity to paint artistic pictures on the sides of the vehicle. Thus, such expenses will be saved. But, there is a possibility that passengers may be prone to a bit of confusion since all the buses shall appear similar. However, it will be a temporary effect. There is a premise that the passenger is supposed to look at the board on the bus and confirm its route before boarding the bus. It is definite that gradually all will get used to the system.

Similar system in Kerala

The colour coding system was introduced in Kerala in the month of February 2018. The bus colour here is green with three white lines running along either sides at the bottom. The code for limited stop buses is maroon with three white lines running along either sides at the bottom.
Still in proposal stage

“No official decision has been taken regarding the single colour for all private buses in the city. It still exists in the proposal stage. This topic was proposed during the last Smart City meeting, but as elections were announced, no progress could be achieved in this direction,” Jhon Misquith, Regional Trasnport Officer, Mangaluru

We did it with self-motivation

“Along with the buses in our company in the city, almost 50 buses have been coloured according to the colour code. Bus owners have painted their buses by themselves. One or the other day, this rule may be implemented. Therefore we have followed it. Now, if the system is implemented, it will be good, “ Mohammed Hashim, PTC bus company owner

Decision yet to be taken

“The idea to colour all the private city buses in a single colour was proposed three months ago during the Smart City meeting, but nothing gas progressed. We had adviced during the then meeting that another meeting needs to be called in this connection. But no meeting has been held since then. Official decision on colour coding remains to be taken,” Dilraj Alva,President, DK Bus Owner’s Association