The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : ‘Revision of bus fare after consulting Chief Minister’

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‘Revision of bus fare after consulting Chief Minister’

Staff Reporter

Rs. 150-crore additional burden on RTCs

KSRTC earned a profit of Rs. 40.54 crore during 2007-08
200 Volvo buses will be added to the BMTC fleet in six months, says Ashok

— Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.

For more comfort: Transport Minister R. Ashok at the launch of Ambari coaches of the KSRTC in Bangalore on Friday.

BANGALORE: The decision on fare revision of state road transport corporation (RTC) services will be taken after consulting the Chief Minister, Transport Minister R. Ashok said here on Friday. He said increased cost of inputs including diesel and the imminent wage revision in the corporations have imposed additional financial burden of over Rs. 150 crore on the four RTCs.

He was speaking to reporters after flagging off “Ambari” — the specially designed, air-conditioned coaches of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) here on the occasion of KSRTC’s 47th anniversary of founding.

Mr. Ashok said the corporations have already submitted proposals for fare revision. The financial implications (of the additional burden) were being worked out and a decision will be taken after consulting Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa.

Corona coaches

+Fitted with 160 HP Cummins engine at the rear, the Corona coach, which is named “Ambari” comes with a host of passenger amenities, including air-conditioning.

The 44-seater bus has reclining seats and an LCD television screen. It is priced Rs. 37 lakh.

The coach is an all steel integral monocoque construction. While the spines carry the load, exterior cage which is integrated with spine has the unique single piece monocoque structure.

Future plans

The Minister, who is also the Chairman of all RTCs, said KSRTC earned a profit of Rs. 40.54 crore during 2007-08. It inducted 1,600 new buses to the fleet and introduced 267 new routes. Besides opening nine more depots and five bus stations, the corporation will spend Rs. 170 crore to acquire new uses including 30 Volvos.

Public transport

Mr. Ashok said the State Government was committed to boost public transport in the State in general and major cities in particular.

He said the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is keen on increasing the ridership from the present 42 per cent to 80 per cent and several measures were being taken in this regard.

Within six months, 200 new Volvo buses will be added to BMTC fleet, he said.

Principal Secretary (Home and Transport) Upendra Tripathy, KSRTC Managing Director Gaurav Gupta, BMTC Managing Director Syed Zameer Pasha, KSRTC Directors Hayath, M.A. Saleem, K.A. Rajkumar and Paramesh were present.

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