Mangaluru: Residents of Jalligudde in Bajal on the outskirts of the city continue to face hardships after buses operating from Mangaladevi on the route stopped services several months ago.The disruption has affected daily commuters, including students travelling to schools and colleges. With no reliable public transport available, many residents are forced to depend on autorickshaws and taxis, resulting in higher travel expenses and added inconvenience. Locals are urging authorities to restore bus services at the earliest.Santhosh Bajal, convener, Bajal Ward Development Action Committee, said that the Route 11C buses have ceased service, and the public and students in this area are struggling to commute for their daily activities, and to schools and colleges. Due to the lack of proper public transport, residents are forced to lose a significant portion of their earnings on travel. Furthermore, poor labourers and low-income workers are reduced to a miserable condition of having to walk to the main road at Jalligudde Cross, he said.Additionally, private buses operating between State Bank and Jalligudde have been cutting trips at their convenience, causing great difficulty for passengers, Santhosh said.The area houses the Mangaluru Junction railway station and Praja Soudha, the deputy commissioner’s office. Travellers and citizens coming to these locations for essential tasks from various parts of the city are facing severe distress due to the lack of necessary bus facilities. Given these circumstances, the transport department must immediately take appropriate action to resume private bus services operating between State Bank and Bajal Jalligudde, and from Jalligudde to Mangaladevi, he said.“We have urged the RTO to resolve the issues regarding buses cutting trips and failing to operate according to the fixed schedule, and to take the initiative to provide additional bus services to this area. Officials have promised to look into the matter and find solutions at the earliest,” he added.
