KOCHI: The Kerala Bus Transport Association (KBTA) has sought to end what it describes as harassment of bus owners by officials of the Ernakulam Regional Transport Office for ‘late running’.
Kerala Bus Transport Association district president K P Valsalan said that bus employees and owners would stage a sit-in in front of Regional Transport Officer B J Antony’s house, in protest against the suspension of permits of buses.
The permits of some buses were suspended for four days for not keeping the timing.
The KBTA district president pointed out an incident in which the Regional Transport Officer suspended the permit of a bus for four days because it was late by 13 minutes.
The Association stated that it was difficult to stick to the timetable as the roads were full of potholes.
“The pathetic condition of the roads is creating heavy traffic jams in the city. Hence, it is difficult keep time,” it said.
The Association alleged that the district administration has failed to maintain the roads in good condition.
However, the district Regional Transport Officer is acting tough on bus operators without considering the condition of roads.
Increase in Bus Employees’ Bonus
Kochi: A joint meeting, held under the aegis of Ernakulam Regional Joint Labour Commissioner P J Joy, on Thursday decided to hike the bonus of the bus employees in the district.
It was decided that drivers be given bonus of `3,750, conductors `3,550 and cleaners `3,450. The meeting was attended by representatives of various political parties and bus operators’ associations and unions affiliated to various political parties, including the INTUC, AITUC, BMS, SDTU, KBTA, PBOA and the PBOF.