Bengaluru: Though the state government had last year announced in its budget that it will offer free bus pass to students, the state-run road transport corporations have now hiked the bus pass rates.
BMTC has increased the fare to Rs 200 from Rs 100 and this has angered students and activists. “This is really shocking because we heard that students will be issued free bus pass, but now they have raised the fare. The corporation is for the people and it is not a money-making machine. The hike on the student bus pass will definitely affect all sections of society. The government should withdraw the order,” said Ranjitha R., a first-year student.
BMTC sources said the government had issued an order after receiving a proposal from the corporations seeking revision of fares, which have not been hiked for nearly nine years. Students get concessional bus passes, with the government bearing 50% cost. The respective transport corporations bear 25%, and the students contribute to the remaining 25%.
Some students unions had recently protested against the move to hike bus passes. “The previous government had announced that it would provide free bus passes to students, but that never happened. We demand the State government to immediately roll back the decision in the interests of students” said Sandep, another student from a private college.
There was speculation that KSRTC may increase student bus pass rates. However on Friday KSRTC has made it clear that it will retain the fare and will begin issuing bus passes from Monday.
