Kerala govt ready to hike private bus fares: Transport minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has decided to increase the private bus fares in the state, transport minister Antony Raju said on Saturday after holding discussions with the representatives of bus owners.
The government has turned down the bus owners’ demand to hike the minimum fare, currently at Rs 8, to Rs 12.
Raju said though the government has decided to increase the bus fare in the wake of the rise in the fuel charges, a decision on how much fare has to be increased will be taken only after more discussions.
“The government has supported the view of the bus owners that the fare has to be increased due to the present circumstances. However, the government is also committed to ease the tax burden on the common man. Hence, it has been decided to have discussion with the Justice Rajendran Commission on finalizing the fare increase,” said the minister.
He said a final decision will be taken without any delay, adding that talks will continue with the bus owners on the other demands made by them. A three member sub-committee has been constituted to look into the issues raised by them.
Private bus owners have demanded that the per kilometre rate should be increased to Re 1 from the present 90 paise. They have also demanded that the fares for students should be increased to Rs 6 from Re 1. The concession should be 50% of the actual ticket rate, they have said. The operators also want the road tax to be waived off till the pandemic ends.
The government has already waived off the tax for the first quarter and has extended the time to remit the tax for the second quarter till December 31.