Mangaluru: Mangalore University (MU) has planned to document the significant role played by private buses along the coast, in the overall development of the region.
In this context, MU has entered into an agreement with the Dakshina Kannada Bus Operators Association, to prepare a comprehensive report.
This sector, which has been operating for more than a century, has made substantial contributions to the area's growth. The university has taken this initiative after conducting several meetings with private bus stakeholders. PL Dharma, vice-chancellor of Mangalore University, said that the history of private bus services in Dakshina Kannada spans over 100 years. To provide an analytical framework academically, and reintroduce the narratives of public bus services to the public domain, MU is creating a new platform.
In this context, Mangalore University entered into an agreement with the DKBOA a few days ago.
This project is mooted by PL Dharma, and has assigned responsibility for the same to the university's commerce department.
The primary aim of this research is to study the history of private bus services through data, and introduce their stories to both national and international audiences. Another objective is to highlight how the operations of private buses have become an integral part of the lives of the people in these districts through data. One of the key outcomes is to introduce the Mangalore model to the nation.
Two formal meetings have already been held with key representatives of DKBOA, including Ajeez Parthipady, Dilraj Alva, and Ramachandra Pillar, to discuss these topics in detail. The outcome of these discussions is the current research project undertaken by Mangalore University.
In the first phase, a pilot study will be conducted with the cooperation of the Bus Owners Association, to collect data such as details of the total bus services; estimated number of passengers travelling in a day; number of workers directly involved in bus services in a day; estimated financial transactions by the end of a day; number of workers indirectly involved in bus services and others.
The research process will include establishment of a study chair, preparation of a plan and funding request; contribution to communal harmony/social harmony documentation; economic development; educational development/contributions to the development of educational institutions; presentation of achievements in job creation; contribution to self-reliant living; social welfare activities of bus workers (drivers/conductors); aspects of indirect job creation through the spare parts industry and workshops; dimensions of social service.
The private bus services initiated a courier system like the highly successful existing e-commerce (Amazon/Flipkart) model 100 years ago.
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