500 private buses in district participate in fund mobilisation drive

The charity service operated by the Kerala State Private Bus Operators Federation (KSPBOF) for mobilising flood relief fund evoked warm response from commuters in the district on Monday. Federation leaders said around 500 private buses cooperated with the drive in the district and the fund they collected would be contributed to the Chief Minister’s fund.

“No ticket was issued to the passengers as they were all expected to make a voluntary contribution beyond the pre-fixed fare stage rules. Majority of them contributed liberally to the cause,” said A. Abdul Nazar, district president of the federation. He said the bus operators took up the charity initiative at a time when they were all facing a huge crisis in their business with the frequent hike of fuel prices.

Across the State, around 8,500 buses cooperated with the drive under the leadership of KSPBOF. Students who were having concession tickets too contributed extra to support the cause. As some of the area committees affiliated to the federation had already carried out the charity service to support relief works, they were exempted from the Monday’s drive. However, their collection would be added to the main fund to be credited to the CM’s relief fund.

KSPBOF leaders said they would strive to mobilise ₹2 crore using their network to support the rehabilitation needs of people in flood-hit areas. Besides the passengers’ contribution, all the bus employees too would come up with their own donations to the CM’s fund, they said.