Private bus operators feel the heat after launch of Shakti fre travel scheme

BENGALURU: With the launch of the Shakti free travel scheme for women in buses of state-run transport corporations, private bus operators who run buses to nearby towns are now feeling the heat.

With almost no women passengers private buses are seeing only male passengers and are running almost empty. Bus operators and employees are worried that if such is the situation on the first day after the launch of the Shakti scheme, their future may be at stake.

Private buses are running almost empty.

Drivers of private buses, while welcoming the free travel for women, said the government should make arrangements for them too by absorbing them in the transport corporations. “If one private bus runs, it helps 20-25 families. What will happen to them now? The government should understand our plight. We are also citizens of the same state and the government should come to our aid. There are people who work as labourers, mechanics, cleaners, conductors and drivers”, said Babu, a private bus driver.

Drivers of private buses are worried about the future.

“A bus operator has to invest a minimum of Rs 45 lakh to purchase a new bus. He will have to repay loans of at least Rs 1.5 lakh per month. If there is revenue, buses can be run. If the bus owners don’t make money, how will they run the buses? Earlier, around 500-600 buses used to run from Yeshwantpur, but now the number has dropped to 220 because, during the pandemic, many sold off their buses and went out of business”, he added.

“We are getting only male passengers and the free travel scheme has affected our business. Our revenues have dropped significantly as women are opting for KSRTC buses. It will affect all employees”, said another driver.