Bengaluru: Transport minister Mr. Ramalinga Reddy has rejected the demand for reducing the ticket rates of KSRTC, BMTC and other state road transport corporation fares after the cut in the diesel rate.
Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, Mr. Reddy declared that because of the Rs.5.95 reduction in the diesel rate, net savings of transport corporations owned by the stated government has increased to Rs.8.30 crores.
But all the transport corporations have several outstanding liabilities which include PF, DA, loan etc. He elucidated, “Keeping in mind all these aspects and the financial health of all the corporations, we have decided against slashing the bus fares.”.
Mr. Reddy added that even after the cut in the diesel prices, the BMTC is still reeling under a Rs 3.20 crore loss caused by various increased expenses.
“There is no clarity on when diesel prices will be increased again. Deregulating the diesel prices will affect the transport corporations,” the minister said. Meanwhile, Bengaluru Bus Prayaanikara Vedike has requested the state government to reduce the ticket fare.
According to a press release issued on behalf of the forum, its convenor Mr. Vinay Shrinivasa said that diesel prices have fallen since the central government deregulated them and left it at the mercy of the market.
Possibility of diesel prices increasing shortly cannot be ruled out. “But bus fares cannot be decided on the basis of diesel prices. Instead bus ticket amounts should be fixed based on minimum wages.”
He went on, “Diesel prices have come down by Rs 6.25 in the last two weeks. Accordingly lakhs of citizens of Bengaluru who commute by BMTC buses daily are expecting a reduction in bus fares.
BMTC has increased the bus fares thrice in the last 3 years. BMTC has always been using the increase in diesel price as an excuse for the hike in bus fares. So people naturally expect the fares to be reduced following the decrease in diesel prices,” he stated.
