KSRTC student bus passes to be issued at K-One centres

Mangaluru: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has announced the student bus pass facility for the academic year 2026-27. In Dakshina Kannada, pass counters have been opened at designated Karnataka One (K-One) centres across Mangaluru and Puttur divisions.An official from the KSRTC Mangaluru division said that passes will be issued from June 1 at K-One centres located at Mangaluru City Corporation, Kunjibettu in Udupi, and Municipal Road in Kundapura.The official said that the number of students availing the facility in the Mangaluru division is comparatively lower than in the Puttur division, as many students depend on private bus services. Following the launch of Shakthi Scheme, which provides free travel for women in state-run buses, the issuance of student passes has also declined. However, passes are still availed by students travelling to the neighbouring Kasaragod district, the official added.According to KSRTC officials, 6,456 student bus passes were issued last year in the Mangaluru division, covering the Mangaluru 1, 2 and 3, Udupi, and Kundapura depots.In 2023-24, as many as 7,721 passes were issued, and in 2024-25, as many as 6,836 passes were issued, the official explained.In comparison, the Puttur division, which includes Dharmasthala, Sullia, Puttur, BC Road, and Madikeri depots, issued 21,005 passes last year.This year under Puttur division, passes will be issued at Karnataka One centres in Somwarpet; SSR Road Virajpet; Ganapathy Street in Madikeri; police station bypass road in Kushalnagar; Kurunjibhag, Sullia; near the taluk office, Puttur; Main Road, Belthangady, and Police Station Road in BC Road.In a release, the state-run corporation stated that students can apply for bus passes through the Seva Sindhu portal from May 29 free of cost. Applications can also be submitted at Karnataka One, Grama One, and Bangalore One centres by paying a service fee of Rs 30.Students must submit the declaration form downloaded from the Seva Sindhu portal or the KSRTC website while applying. After approval, applicants will receive an SMS regarding the designated counter for pass collection. Passes will be issued from June 1.