Kochi: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will effect a six per cent hike in ticket rates for travel in its air-conditioned buses, including inter-state luxury services, from Monday next.
Though the hike, being effected to factor in six per cent service charge raise by the Central Excise, was originally set to be implemented from December one, the delay from the EDPC (Electronic Data Processing Centre) wing at Thiruvananthapuram to make the necessary software programme changes for the Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETMs) resulted in postponing the decision.
“There was confusion with regard to farestage calculation for 190 buses of the Kerala Urban Road Transport Corporation (KURTC) and nine inter-state multi-axle luxury services of the KSRTC. The issue has been rectified and the hike will be effected most probably by Monday,” sources said.
The measure will result in commuters doling out an additional amount of upto '65. “The hike of '65 will be for interstate services. For low-floor services in cities like Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram, the passengers need to dole out upto Rs six extra and upto '20 for inter-district travel,” they said.
The Government Order (GO 446/2016) notifying the hike was out on November 22 and the KSRTC management had issued circular to all depots to start implementing the same by December one, but for the delay from the EDPC wing.
Meanwhile, the salary and pension for the month of November was yet to be distributed to staff. However, the employees have decided to desist from protests and help management in its efforts to revive the corporation.
