The National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (Natpac) has submitted a report to the Justice Ramachandran Committee recommending a hike in the minimum bus fare from Rs 5 to Rs 6.
The final report of the committee was submitted to Transport Minister Aryadan Mohammed on Saturday.
Sources from Natpac said that there was no recommendation for hike in students’ concession as this would lead to protests from several quarters, including students’ organisations. The demand of the bus owners was to hike the concession to half of the minimum charge.
Following the demand of taxi and autorickshaw owners to hike the minimum fare, the Natpac also suggested a hike in these sectors. The minimum fare of autorickshaw is likely to be increased from Rs 12 to Rs 15 and for taxi, it will be Rs 100 from the existing Rs 60.
The decision to prepare a report on the hike was taken following the recent diesel price increase of Rs 5 and the private bus owners threatening strike.
The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) too is incurring a huge loss with the additional Rs 6.5 crore expenditure daily due to the diesel price hike.
KSRTC Chairman and Managing Director K G Mohanlal said that the minimum fare of fast passenger and super fast will be decided by the Justice Ramachandran Committee.
If the minimum fare is hiked, subsequently the existing rate of Rs 10 will also be increased. Private bus operators demanded the minimum fare at Rs 7 considering the rise in cost of oil, tyres and rubber thread apart from the diesel price hike.
The strike declared by the bus owners was withdrawn following an assurance by the Transport Minister that the matter would be looked into. The report will be discussed at the Cabinet meeting. Earlier, Aryadan had said that the final decision on the hike would be taken before October 10.
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