The Hindu : Front Page : KSRTC seeks increase in bus fares

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 14, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Front Page

Front Page

KSRTC seeks increase in bus fares

S. Anil Radhakrishnan

Cites recent hike in the price of diesel
A shot in the arm for private bus operators

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The demand put forward by private bus operators in the State for a hike in bus fares has received a shot in the arm with the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) raising the same demand before the government in view of the recent hike in the price of diesel.

The KSRTC, with a daily revenue loss of Rs.3 crore on account of the hike in the price of diesel, has demanded an increase in the minimum fare of ordinary bus services from Rs.3.50 to Rs.4 and that of fast passenger services from Rs.4.50 to Rs.5.

A top KSRTC official told The Hindu that the Corporation had not demanded an increase in the minimum fare of super fast and super express services, which is Rs.8 and Rs.10 respectively.

“We have demanded a rollback of the bus fare reduction introduced in the State in February 17 this year following a 10 per cent reduction in the price of diesel. The government’s response is awaited,” he said.

The decision of the KSRTC has come as a morale booster to the Kerala Private Bus Operators’ Federation which has announced a strike from August 19 on the issue. The Federation, which represents a majority of the private bus operators in the State, has demanded a minimum fare of Rs.5, a fare increase of 5 paise per km and a revision in students’ concession that has been pending for years.

The government had reduced the minimum fare for super express services by 33 per cent, super fast services by 20 per cent, fast passenger services by 10 per cent and ordinary, city and city fast services by 12.5 per cent in February on the basis of the recommendations of the National Transportation Planning and Research centre (Natpac).

The reduction was opposed tooth and nail by the All Kerala Private Bus Operators Coordination Committee, the apex body of three associations of private bus operators in the State.

The daily diesel consumption of the KSRTC’s fleet of 5,154 buses is 3.6 lakh kilolitres. Of the 4,668 services, the KSRTC operates 4,400 services on an average within the State and in adjoining States. The buses cover a distance of 14 lakh km a day.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page