Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government today announced a hike in government and private bus fares that will come into effect from March 1.
The minimum fare for an ordinary bus service will be Rs eight, up from Rs seven, and for fast passenger services, the fare will be Rs 11 instead of Rs 10.
Along with the minimum fare, charges per kilometer for all category of services have also been raised.
The hike ranges between eight paise and Rs six.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan took the decisions at a cabinet meeting in Thiruvananthapuram.
Talking to reporters, transport minister AK Saseendran said the hike was necessary to sustain the transport sector.
The bus fares were last revised in 2014.
"The government is not happy taking such a decision," he said.
Speaking on the revision of concessional fares for students, Mr Saseendran said there would be a marginal increase of Re one for students travelling up to 40 kms.
The announcement was made on the basis of the recommendations of Justice C Ramachandran panel that went into the problems faced by the transport industry, a release from the Chief Minister's office said.
The Congress-led UDF Opposition slammed the LDF government's move, saying the state government was putting more burden on the people who were already suffering due to steep raise in price of essential commodities.
"This hike could have been avoided if the government had decided to go away with the additional income it received through increase in price petroleum products," Leader of Opposition in the assembly Ramesh Chennithala said.
The minimum fare for an ordinary bus service will be Rs eight, up from Rs seven, and for fast passenger services, the fare will be Rs 11 instead of Rs 10.
Along with the minimum fare, charges per kilometer for all category of services have also been raised.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan took the decisions at a cabinet meeting in Thiruvananthapuram.
Advertisement
The bus fares were last revised in 2014.
Advertisement
Speaking on the revision of concessional fares for students, Mr Saseendran said there would be a marginal increase of Re one for students travelling up to 40 kms.
Advertisement
The Congress-led UDF Opposition slammed the LDF government's move, saying the state government was putting more burden on the people who were already suffering due to steep raise in price of essential commodities.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Kerala Approaches Supreme Court Against Governor Reserving 7 Bills For President's Assent Supreme Court Reserves Order In Kerala vs Centre Case Over Borrowing Powers Supreme Court Directs Kerala, Centre To Meet, Resolve Financial Issues World's Largest Isolated Tribe Makes Rare Appearance In New Footage Puja Khedkar's Mother Was Hiding In Lodge As "Indubai" Using Fake ID At Least 2 Passengers Die As Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express Derails In UP Infosys Posts 7% Increase In Q1 Net Profit At Rs 6,386 Crore Watch: Rescue Teams Crawl Through Derailed Coaches Looking For Survivors Delhi Court Refers BRS leader K Kavitha To AIIMS For Medical Check-Up Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.