After trial run, BRTS to add 5% GST to all ticket fares

HUBBALLI: Commuters intending to travel between Hubballi and Dharwad by the BRTS service will have to shell out 5% GST. Because of this, the fare is likely to be higher than NWKRTC buses. At present, the fare is on par with NWKRTC fares and ranges between Rs 18 and Rs 22.
BRTS Co Ltd, which began a trial run with five buses on October 2, has gradually increased the number of buses. A couple of days ago, it added 20 buses at one go, taking the total to 45. For the convenience of commuters, BRTS has also introduced non-stop services on the lines of NWKRTC’s 100 non-stop bus service. It has now categorized its buses as 100B, 200A and 200C, based on the service.

Buses in the 100B category will halt only at a handful of stops limited — HDMC, Hosur Cross, Navanagar, SDM hospital, Tollnaka, and Jubilee Circle, while buses in the other two categories will halt at all 32 stops although buses under 200A category will start/depart from CBT Hubballi, while the 200C category will run from Ambedkar Circle (Station Road) in Hubballi.

BRTS MD Rajendra Cholan said, “Once the trial run ends, we have to charge 5% GST as per a government order. This is because the entire fleet comprises AC buses. We are working on fixing stage-wise fares including GST. It will be slightly pricier, but won’t be unaffordable.”

He said a high-powered committee will take a final call on fares once the trial run is over. Cholan said the response has been encouraging so far. “Initially, we had only about 5,000 to 10,000 passengers, but now it’s about 25,000 to 30,000 per day. Our daily income has also increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 3 lakh,” he said.