Senior citizens, women demand more buses, separate pass counter

Hubballi: The first Samvedane, a criticism meeting organized by way of the North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation, Hubballi for women and senior citizens, gained a good reaction on Wednesday. Many complained of insufficient bus facilities, dirty buses, and misbehaviour of conductors.

B A Patil, retired district deputy well being officer, Navanagar, mentioned, "There were two separate counters for senior citizens and women for monthly passes at the Old Bus Terminus in Hubballi. Now, the authorities have removed one, forcing senior citizens to stand in long queues at the general counter. I request authorities to open a separate counter for senior citizens. Now, 10% concession is given for monthly passes and 25% for daily passes. But, 25% concession should be given for senior citizens."

Prakash Jadhav, Navanagar, mentioned, "There aren't enough buses from Hubballi CBT to Navanagar. Sometimes, buses don't come to CBT but go to the old bus stand. Passengers waiting to go to Navanagar at CBT have to travel to CBT by autos or other buses and spend extra money. There aren't frequent buses to Navanagar from CBI."

V I Alagundagi, former KCC director, mentioned, "Autos are parked haphazardly in the CBT leaving no space for smooth movement of buses. We also need enough buses from CBT to Gamangatti. Buses from Navanagar to CBT should be run via Karnatak Circle from the last bus stop. The inter-city link bus which halts at Shantinagar should be halted at Gamangatti so that it can help people of other surrounding areas to catch the Bengaluru inter-city train in the morning."

"Many people, including teachers, travel to Dharwad from Hubballi. We need a direct bus to Dharwad from Hubballi via Barakotri Dharwad for many who work in Dharwad schools," mentioned Nirmala Mane, Hubballi.

Sadanand Danganavar, chairman, NWKRTC, Hubballi, mentioned, "We will not tolerate rude behaviour of conductors. This brings a bad reputation to the corporation."

He solved a number of issues by way of contacting the officers concerned. He assured that he would take instant measures to solve all issues raised in the meeting. Many issues related to more buses, a separate counter for passes, lengthen in carrier, rude behaviour by way of group of workers got here to mild on the meeting. To address the problems of senior citizens and girls, a Samvedane will likely be held on the 29th of each and every month on the divisional place of job, he added.

"Concession should be given to senior citizens to travel in all places including rural places if they have IDs. I will ensure this," he assured.

Rude behaviour

"Conductors have no respect for senior citizens. When I was travelling to Dharwad from Navanagar on November 24 at 7.40pm, the conductor behaved very rudely for the delay in showing my senior citizen ID card. I was holding bags in both hands in the heavy rush and though I told him I'd show it later, he was adamant and did not issue a ticket. When I showed the ID, he issued the ticket. I felt humiliated in front of everybody. Such behaviour should be curbed," mentioned Satish Kulkarni, retired postal worker, Hubballi.

Concession issues

Sunanada Hudakeri, JP Nagar, Hubballi, mentioned, "Conductors don't giving concession to senior citizens for travel within rural areas. The concession should be given for travel in all areas for senior citizens. I was forced to pay full fare while traveling to a village in Savadatti from Hubballi."