Tamil Nadu: People cast vote against bus fare hike in Coimbatore

After over six years, Tamil Nadu government has hiked the fares of buses under State-run transport corporations and private entities approximately by 20 to 54.54 per cent, saying it was inevitable.

Two days after a protest at Coimbatore's Ukkadam Bus Terminus, people cast their vote against bus fare hike in Coimbatore demanding a rollback of the fare hike decision. They want to send the collected votes to the Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami.

However, the Union Minister justified the hike in bus fare due to t rise in fuel price.

Union Minister, Pon Radhakrishnan, said, "Tamil Nadu Govt didn't raise bus fare for 6 years. It is hiked now and is essential due to fuel price hike and financial purposes. The then government didn't hike fares due to vote politics. Hadn't it been the case, fares would've been hiked gradually."

After over six years, Tamil Nadu government has hiked the fares of buses under State-run transport corporations and private entities approximately by 20 to 54.54 per cent, saying it was inevitable. Significantly, the government also announced a fund for accident compensation and prevention, besides a panel to go into the restructuring of bus fares in future.

While the minimum hike is in the ordinary category, where the fare of Rs. 5 for 10 km would now be Rs. 6 (20 per cent hike), the highest is in Volvo buses, where the fare of Rs. 33 for 30 km will now go up to Rs. 51 (54.54 per cent hike).

In town buses, the fare has been hiked from a minimum of Rs. 3 to Rs. 5 and the maximum from Rs. 12 to Rs. 19.

OneIndia News