Kochi: Another bus fare hike is around the corner as the government plans to increase charges on an average by 10 percent on all classes of stage carriers given the rising fuel and operating costs. The Kerala State Fare Revision Committee headed by Justice Ramachandran has scheduled a final public hearing, to be attended by bus owners among others, on November 30 as part of the exercise. “Following protests by private bus operators demanding a fare hike, the government had appointed a committee to study the issue. The panel has collected feedbacks from all concerned groups, and a decision is expected after the November 30 meeting and the report handed over to the government,” said Rajeev Puthalath, joint transport commissioner.
The minimum charge is expected to be increased by Rs1 from the current Rs 7 as against Rs 10 demanded by the operators. The last hike was in May 2014. “The per-km operating cost has gone up by Rs 11, and there is a 30 percent increase in expenditure. The government should take immediate steps for sustainability of the industry. The chassis cost has gone up, and the insurance increased by 68 percent. The students’ concessions are also affecting the revenue collection. We’ve given the reasons besides the relevant data to the panel,” said Lawrence Babu, general secretary, Kerala State Private Bus Operators Federation.
