Free bus ride to male passengers; Private bus faces setback, RTO with action

KOCHI: A fine was imposed on a private bus that allowed free ride to male passengers as protest against the government’s Priyadarshini scheme. The Motor Vehicles Department imposed a fine of Rs 7500 on B.O. David, the owner of the 'Little Flower' bus plying the Aluva-Manjali route.

With the launch of the Priyadarshini project, the private bus saw a dip in passengers on this route. To make up for the loss during off-peak hours, it was decided to operate the trip intermittently in collaboration with a private bus called ‘Velankanni Mata’. Subsequently, the 2.30 trip from Manjali was stopped from June 16. It is alleged that the private bus owners informed the officials about their dire financial straits but despite this the officials issued a challan. Subsequently, a complaint was lodged with the RTO. The government is requested to intervene to help the private bus owners out of the financial crisis.