Private transporters oppose MST service
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 30 2022: United Bus Owners' Welfare Association Manipur has raised strong objection against the introduction of Imphal-Mao MST bus service while terming it as an act of snatching the livelihood of the bus owners, who have been providing regular bus service on the route for years.

Addressing a press meet at its office premises located at MG Avenue here on Wednesday, association general secretary B Dhanbir said that the association welcomes the state government's initiative of reviving MST and bus service.

At the same time, the private bus owners have been providing regular bus services along different routes for the last two to three decades when the government stopped its public bus services.

In 2017, the association extended full cooperation to the revival of MSRTC as MST and the route was finalised after consultations between the private bus owners and the government.

The association did not raise any objection when MST bus service was introduced on Imphal to Moreh road, Jiribam, Noney, Pherzawl and Nungba, he said.

Earlier, the association had urged the government to choose routes where the private bus owners could not penetrate or discuss with the association before introducing government bus service in any routes where the association is already providing services.

Introduction of Imphal-Mao bus service will give direct impact on the survival of the private bus owners and they cannot accept it.

Instead, the government could utilise its MST bus service in providing transport facility in interior areas of Senapati district where the private bus owners could not reach, he said.

He also expressed dissatisfaction over allowing the government buses to enter city area while banning the private buses.

Demanding the government to reconsider its decision regarding Imphal-Mao bus service, he warned of launching different forms of agitation if the government does not consider their demand.

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