This story is from October 8, 2012

A co-operative bus firm managed by its workers

Workers of a private bus company, who were faced with the tough choice of losing their jobs 22 years ago, turned it into an opportunity by starting their own bus company.
A co-operative bus firm managed by its workers
CHIKMAGALUR: Workers of a private bus company, who were faced with the tough choice of losing their jobs 22 years ago, turned it into an opportunity by starting their own bus company. Locally called 'Sahakara Sarige', the Transport Co-operative Society of Koppa, has created history by running buses in Koppa, Sringeri and Narasimharajapur after the closure of Shankar Transport Bus Company 22 years ago.
In 1990, the private bus company announced lockout as it was reluctant to meet the demands of its workers.
The workers, who were faced with the threat of losing their sole livelihood, were helped by trade union leader B K Sundresh to start their own bus company on co-operative basis.
When the workers took up on the proposal, it was mocked upon and every one predicted that the company would be shut down within months. But the workers managed to silence the naysayers by gathering 125 workers, who became the company's shareholders, and raised an initial capital of Rs 12 lakh. The company now has 80 buses, transacts Rs 12 crore annually and employed 300 workers.
In 1998, the University of Ritsumekin of Kyoto city in Japan heard of the 'Sahakara Sarige' and sent a 21-member team to Koppa to study the transport company run on co-operative basis. The company grabbed the curiosity of the government too which granted Rs 5 lakh in 1999.
Now, the Sahakara Sarige has decided to open its own bank and automobile parts store in Malnad taluks. It has opened workshops at Koppa and Sringeri.
The society has won accolades from several corners. The state government considered it as the best co-operative institution in the state.
TCS president G R Vishwanath said for the year 2011-12, the company has earned Rs 6 lakh profit and they have decided to open a spare parts sales and service centre to cater to the needs of all types of vehicles by using condemned spare parts.
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