LDF in Kerala hikes bus fares

Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 10: The Left Democratic Front in Kerala effected a hike in bus fares in the state in the wake of increase in diesel prices and other input costs.

Making a statement in the State Assembly today, Kerala Transport Minister Mathew T Thomas said the government had decided to increase the minimum charge of ordinary services from Rs three to Rs four, fast passenger services from Rs four to five, super fast services from Rs six to Rs ten and Super Express services from Rs ten to Rs 15.

However, the minimum charges for the Super deluxe/semi sleeper, AC luxury/hitech and volvo services would remain the same, he said.

On the students concession fare, he said the government would take a decision only after discussing the matter with the Students organisations and the Bus Owners organisations.

Mr Thomas said while the fare of ordinary services had been increased by seven paise a km, there would be an increase of five paise per km for fast passenger, super fast, super express and super deluxe/semi sleeper services. The fare for AC luxury/hitech services would go up by 10 paise per km and the volvo by 20 paise per km.

Mr Thomas said the state-owned Kerala Road State Transport Corporation and the private bus operators had recommended the government to increase the fares.

The National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) was asked to make a study on the recommendations. The government had decided to hike the bus fares on the basis of the NATPAC report, he added.

UNI