Diesel price hike: Pvt bus operators in Goa cut trips

Panaji: Anissa Khan would usually have to wait at her bus stop in Davorlim for 15 minutes; such was the frequency of the only public transport vehicle in her hamlet. This week, she has waited for longer than 45 minutes in the summer heat.Rising diesel prices have forced several private bus operators in Goa to reduce the number of daily trips, with operators admitting they are reducing daily frequencies to cope with mounting fuel costs and falling revenues.The reduction in services is expected to impact thousands of daily commuters, particularly in rural areas that depend heavily on private buses.All Goa Stage Coach Owners Association president Sudesh Kalangutkar said many operators who undertook five to 10 trips a day have now reduced their schedules by more than half.“In some areas, operators are now running only two trips a day. We are managing by adjusting timings and combining services because the expenses have increased sharply,” he told TOI.Kalangutkar alleged disparity in govt support to private operators compared to state-backed transport systems. On govt’s push towards electric buses, he said operators are not opposed to EV adoption but lack the financial capability and infrastructure to transition immediately.

“If govt wants us to shift to electric buses, there must be subsidies, loan facilities and charging stations first,” Kalangutkar said.The association general secretary Sudeep Tahmankar said operators are spending nearly Rs 150 more per day on fuel expenses, while revenues continue to remain weak. He blamed poor transport planning and inadequate infrastructure for worsening the crisis in Goa’s public transport sector.

He said govt cannot expect people to use public transport without improving the condition of bus stands.While private operators are cutting frequencies, the state-run Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC) said its services remain largely unaffected by the fuel price rise. “The corporation continues to operate maximum possible services and has not reduced trips despite the increase in fuel prices. The KTC currently benefits from a more favourable fuel procurement system since we have our own designated fuel stations,” a KTC official said.