Kochi: Private operators on Wednesday rejected the state government’s request to effect a cut in ticket fares so as to pass on the benefit of the fall in oil prices to the people.
Transport Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan threatened to forcefully implement the cut from March 1 if private bus operators continued to resist. Earlier, the cabinet on February 10 slashed the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) ordinary bus fares by Rs 1.
“KSRTC is effecting the cut across all fares in ordinary services. The minimum ticket fare will go down from Rs 7 to Rs 6. We will hold another round of talks with bus owners,” the minister said in an hour long meet held at Thiruvananthapuram.
However, private bus owners argued that the cost of spare parts and maintenance expenses among others had not reduced and the fall in oil price was more than neutralized by the decrease in the number of commuters travelling by private buses.
“With the fall in oil prices, more commuters began to use their personal vehicles. On an average there is a decrease of about 300 passengers per bus daily post the oil price cut. The KSRTC could afford the cut as it has only 1500 ordinary services as against 16, 000 private buses. The KSRTC also levies cess for tickets higher than Rs 1,” said Kerala Bus Owners Federation Secretary B Suneer.
“It is true that diesel prices have reduced by Rs 8.50 compared to last year. However, the salary of employees was hiked by nearly Rs 300,” said Lawrence Babu, General Secretary, Kerala State Private Bus Operators Federation.
