Bondel locals seek KSRTC buses on State Bank route

Mangaluru: Residents of Bondel and nearby areas have urged KSRTC Mangaluru Division to introduce state-run buses on the State Bank–Bondel route.In a memorandum submitted to senior divisional controller of KSRTC Mangaluru Division Rajesh Shetty Monday, DYFI Yeyyadi-Konchadi unit president Venkatesh Konchadi and secretary Praveen Kumar K said State Bank–Bondel city buses operate via Lalbagh and Kankanady routes.There are two buses on the Kankanady route, while the others run via Lalbagh. “These buses are not operating in a manner that is convenient for passengers. One of the buses plying between Bondel and State Bank does not stop at the bus stop in front of Konchadi Sriramashrama School to pick up or drop off passengers; instead, it stops at the next stop, which is about 300 meters away. Similarly, two other private buses operating on the route also fail to halt at the stops,” they said.They said this has caused hardship for passengers in Koppalakadu and Konchadibail, especially in the mornings for students and office-goers.A bus heading towards State Bank during peak morning hours does not stop there, forcing passengers to wait about 40 minutes for the next bus. “Perhaps such a long wait time does not exist on any other route. Buses to Udupi and Kasaragod are available every five minutes,” they said.They also urged KSRTC to ensure that at least one bus runs from the railway station every 10 minutes on the route.