Bengaluru: Shivakumar, who has Jathin’s trip based in Channapatna, has a 25 bus fleet but now only runs two.
Pandemic has hit hard, and he has given up permission from another bus because of a low demand.
Limitations like night and weekend hours also did not help.
“People who don’t travel and investors harass us if we delay emis payments,” Shivakumar said.
“In addition, there is a difficult competition from KSRTC.” Shivakumar said the average rs of 13,000 buses per day needed for operational costs.
“Before Covid, a collection of tickets around Rs 15,000 per bus per day, but now reduced to Rs 6,000-Rs 7,000.
I can’t absorb such losses.” He said he had to pay an emis from Rs 8 Lakh, motorized vehicle tax was rs 47,952 per bus every three months, Rs 85,000-Hospital annual Lakh Insurance per bus, Rs 2,500 daily salaries per bus (three staff), RS 8,500- Rs 9,500 on Diesel per bus and maintenance costs (tires, batteries etc.) from RS 1,000 buses per day.
Shivakumar is not alone; Many private operators struggle to meet needs.
Most have gave up permissions, while financiers have confiscated several buses.
The death of KV Prakash, the owner of the Prakash trip in Shivamogga, has highlighted the tribulation of private bus operators.
Prakash is believed to have committed suicide on Monday because of the financial crisis triggered by Covid.
In December 2021, Narayana Rai, 66, the owner of Avinash Motors, was reported to commit suicide for his prolonged illness in Sutia near Mangaluru.
Manoj Padikkal, a member of the Indian Confederation Bus & Operator, said: “We expect the school to be reopened only in June and many school bus operators decided to quit business due to lack of income.
The government must announce a loan moratorium on the transporter.” Padikkal said He had to pay an emis with a total of 16 lakh rs for 35 vehicles, the office fee of Rs 2 Lakh per month and RS 1.
5 lakh per month on parking fees, in addition to RS 1.
2 crore insurance year for 200 vehicles.
“In November 2021, I paid insurance premiums for 30 vehicles, but schools closed in December and parents also did not pay fees,” Padikkal said.
“Investors presented five of my buses and I had to approach the court to prevent other vehicles to be confiscated.
The situation for transporters was terrible.” L Hemanth Kumar, an additional commissioner for transportation, said: “We have proposed to extend deadlines for two-month motor vehicle tax.
More than 8,000 contracts and licenses of the stage train have been submitted.
“K Radhakrishna Holla, President, the Association of the State Travel Operator Karnataka, said:” The business has dried up and the government also imposes so many travel restrictions.
The government must reduce motor vehicle tax by 50%.
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