Travel between Mangaluru and Bhatkal to become pleasant

Passengers travelling between Mangaluru in Dakshina Kannada and Bhatkal in Uttara Kannada can expect a cosy and comfortable journey from Sunday as the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has decided to operate air-conditioned Volvo services on the route. The corporation will deploy six Volvo buses for now, with nine trips on each direction, totalling 18 trips. The first trip from Mangaluru starts at 6.30 a.m. and the last trip at 3.45 p.m., while from Bhatkal the first trip begins at 6 a.m. and the last trip at 3 p.m. The bus will take three hours to reach the destination and will stop at Surathkal, Mulki, Padubidri, Kapu, Udupi, Manipal, Kundapura, Hemmadi, Trasi, Uppunda, Byndoor and Shirur. Vivekanand Hegde, Mangaluru Divisional Controller, KSRTC, told The Hindu that the corporation has got permits for nine buses in all, but has deployed six as of now. “Soon we are getting three more buses, which would be deployed on the route to bridge the time gap,” he said. Promotional fares KSRTC has introduced promotional fares on the sector as the services are new. “Definitely there is demand for comfortable and high-end journey on the sector, and we are confident of the service getting good patronage,” Mr. Hegde said. Fares between Mangaluru and Bhatkal have been kept at ₹225; Mangaluru-Udupi at ₹107; Mangaluru-Kundapura at ₹160; Udupi/Manipal-Kundapura at ₹65, and Kundapura-Byndoor at ₹45. Mr. Hegde said the buses would be operated from the KSRTC’s Bejai terminal in Mangaluru. However, they will ply via PVS, Bunts’ Hostel and Nanthoor, catering to passengers within the city too, he said. Timings The bus will leave Mangaluru at 6.45 a.m., 7.15 a.m., 7.45 a.m., 10 a.m., 10.30 a.m., 11 a.m., 2.45 p.m., 3.15 p.m., and 3.45 p.m.

For Mangaluru, it will leave at 6 a.m., 6.30 a.m., 7 a.m., 10.45 a.m., 11.15 a.m., 11.45 a.m., 2 p.m., 2.30 p.m., and 3 p.m.

Source: The Hindu