BY ARMSTRONG VAZ
More than 60 years after Liberation, bus travel in Goa poses its own set of challenges and difficulties. One major issue is the noticeably decreased number of buses available on weekdays, while on public holidays and Sundays, it becomes particularly challenging to spot a bus on some of the routes in the State.
One particular route that presents a challenge for commuters is the Betul-Margao route. On public holidays and Sundays, the private buses operating on this route do not run, causing inconvenience and difficulties for the commuters.
A few years ago, Sripad Lotilkar, Pundalik Narvekar, Dominic Fernandes, and Phero Fernandes were household names on this route when it came to private transport buses. Not anymore.
Most of them have bid adieu to the business for varied reasons and a few have relocated to the UK with Portuguese passports, while others have abandoned the business due to the low profit margin.
The present operators have introduced smaller buses with a reduced number of seats, which, in turn, translates to a reduced passenger tax burden.
Laxmi Transport and Santosh Travels, two privately-owned bus services, operated on this 19-km route in the past. However, they are no longer in operation and have become history.
Also, only a few new private operators have stepped in to fill the void left by the ones who have exited the bus business. These operators have introduced smaller buses with a reduced number of seats, which, in turn, translates to a reduced passenger tax burden.
CHALLENGING SITUATION
On weekdays, these buses get quite a few regular passengers – office-goers and students. However, on Sundays and public holidays, they end up plying almost empty, as a result of which, they too take a holiday.
Because of the 'bus holiday', the ones who are worst hit are labourers from the neighbouring villages of Cuncolim, Balli and Morpilla, who travel to the villages of Assolna, Velim and Ambelim on Sundays in search of menial jobs. Without any bus service available, their only choice is to rely on a kind-hearted individual to transport them from Cuncolim to Assolna.
“The last bus for Betul leaves from Margao at 7.15 pm, and there is no bus after that,” said journalist, Charles D’Souza, who has been commuting on the last bus from Margao to Betul for the last three decades.
“Earlier, the last bus was at 8.15 pm from Margao; but not anymore. Post Covid-19, the bus timings have changed, and some bus operators have shut down the business and quit the trade altogether,” he added.
One of the numerous factors leading to the bus operators' decision to withdraw from the business is the inadequate profits that made it difficult for them to pay the salaries of drivers and conductors.
“The business is profitable only if the bus is operated by the owner, either as a driver or a conductor. Otherwise, you have a big hole in your pocket,” said Vivek, a resident of Chinchinim village.
Sources said that none of the private bus operators on the Betul-Margao route has joined the recently introduced 'Mhaji Bus' scheme of the Goa government.
Under the scheme, the bus tickets are issued by the conductor appointed by the government-run Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC).
Bus owners will only be required to pay the salary of the driver, besides the upkeep and maintenance of the buses.
Not anymore. Fish vendors now hire a van to transport the goods from Margao, and so have vegetable vendors.
So, if you are planning to visit Goa for vacation or work and plan on travelling to any of the villages along the Betul-Margao bus route, it is advisable to reconsider taking a private bus on a Sunday or holiday. Otherwise, you might end up being stranded with a one-way ticket.