THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The bus fares have been hiked in the state. The cabinet convened here Wednesday approved the recommendation of the ruling LDF state committee on the proposal for increasing bus fares. The minimum fares of ordinary buses will be increased from Rs 7 to Rs 8 and for fast passengers from Rs 10 to Rs 11. However there will be no change in the fare of students’ concession.

According to the revised rates, the kilometre fare which was 64 paise will now be 70 paise. The fare of fast passengers will increase from Rs 10 to Rs 11. The fare of superfast services will go up from Rs 13 to Rs 15, super express from Rs 20 to Rs 22, super deluxe from Rs 28 to Rs 33 and AC Volvo from Rs 40 to Rs 45. The government was forced to hike the fares following the threat of private bus operators to keep off roads from February 16.

The fare was last hiked on May 20 in 2014.