Udupi (The Hindu): R. Vishal, Deputy Commissioner, on Saturday directed the Regional Transport Office to ensure that all buses ran on time and maintained their timings. He was chairing a meeting of the Regional Transport Authority here.

Dr. Vishal said that if buses were found flouting rules ron timings, action would be taken against them. Bus operators should ensure that buses plied only the routes allotted to them. The authority would consider the request for colour coding of buses, he said.

When an advocate appearing for Canara Bus Owners Association sought revision of bus fares on account of hike in fuel prices and increase in taxes, Dr. Vishal said that the request would be considered.

But, wide-ranging consultations would have to be held for it. It would not be taken up at this meeting, he said.

Ramesh Kotian, general secretary of the District Taximen’s Association, complained that taxis other than those with permits were operating and taking passengers.

Some autorickshaw operators were also ferrying passengers way beyond their jurisdiction, he said. Dr. Vishal directed Regional Transport Officer Surendrappa to study the legal aspects of the complaint and take action.

Sadashiv Amin, a resident, complained that some private buses were not passing through Ambagilu and were instead taking another route. Rajashekhar, a resident, complained that some buses were not passing through the Court Road.

Dr. Vishal directed Superintendent of Police K. Annamalai to take action on it. When Anil Chatra, owner of a private bus company, said that condition of the road at Yedamogge was so poor that bus drivers had to struggle to drive on them, Dr. Vishal directed Mr. Surendrappa to take up the issue with the department.