Bhatkal: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) begins its air-conditioned Volvo services from Bhatkal to Mangaluru from 5th march 2017.

KSRTC Mangaluru divisional controller Vivekanand Hegde told that The corporation will deploy six Volvo buses for now, with nine trips on each direction, totalling 18 trips. The first trip from Mangaluru starts at 6.30 p.m. and the last trip at 3.45 p.m., while from Bhatkal the first trip begins at 6 a.m. and the last trip at 3 p.m.

The duration of the journey between the two cities would be three hours and the buses would have stops at Surathkal, Mulki, Padubidri, Kapu, Udupi, Manipal, Kundapura, Hemmadi, Trasi, Uppunda, Byndoor and Shirur.

Fares between Mangaluru and Bhatkal have been kept at ₹225; Mangaluru-Udupi at ₹107; Mangaluru-Kundapura at ₹160; Udupi/Manipal-Kundapura at ₹65, and Kundapura-Byndoor at ₹45.

There was demand for comfortable and high-end journey on the sector and KSRTC was confident of the service getting good patronage, Hegde said.

However, they will ply via PVS, Bunts Hostel and Nanthoor, catering to passengers within the city too, he said.

Timings

The bus will leave Mangaluru at 6.45 a.m., 7.15 a.m., 7.45 a.m., 10 a.m., 10.30 a.m., 11 a.m., 2.45 p.m., 3.15 p.m., and 3.45 p.m.

For Mangaluru, it will leave at 6 a.m., 6.30 a.m., 7 a.m., 10.45 a.m., 11.15 a.m., 11.45 a.m., 2 p.m., 2.30 p.m., and 3 p.m.

On the occassion,  Bhatkal MLA Mankal S Vaidya, Byndoor MLA Gopal Poojary and many others were present.