Centre should allow SRTCs to recruit drivers for new electric buses: Ramalinga Reddy

The Union government should allow the State Road Transport Corporations (SRTCs) to recruit drivers for the efficient operation of the new fleet of 100 electric buses each that the Centre is set to provide for Mangaluru and five other cities in Karnataka, said Transport and Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy in Mangaluru on Sunday.

Speaking at the inauguration of the automated driving test track in Phajir, near Mangaluru, Mr. Reddy welcomed the move of the Centre to sanction 100 electric buses each to Mangaluru, Belagavi, Hubballi-Dharwad, Kalaburagi, Mysuru and Shivamogga.

The buses aimed at reducing pollution were set to be released to bus manufacturing companies. The companies were being asked to maintain the buses and also arrange drivers on their own, while the SRTCs will have to post their conductors and also provide space for depots for parking and maintenance of buses.

For the efficient operation of electric buses, it would be beneficial to directly allocate these buses to SRTCs, enabling them to recruit their drivers. The State corporations should also be provided with a concession in the GST. “We have written to the Centre. Except for the demand to allow us to recruit our drivers, the Centre has favourably responded to our demands,” the Minister said.

Capt. Brijesh Chowta, MP, said the State government should take action at the earliest to complete the process of allotting land for setting up depots for electric buses. The introduction of electric buses will greatly transform commuting in the city by using government buses. He asked the Minister to take steps to have more buses on inter-State routes from Mangaluru, especially between Mangaluru and Kasaragod.

U.T. Khader, Speaker and Mangaluru MLA, also spoke.