To the relief of long-distance travelers during the festival season, the Transport Commissioner on Monday decided to regulate fares of interstate buses operating in the State, both luxury coach and ordinary.
The decision was taken at a meeting of interstate bus operates, convened by the Transport Department at its headquarters here, following reports that passengers are often made to pay exorbitant fares during the festival season.
“During festival seasons, such as Onam, Vishu, Ramzan and Christmas, passengers travelling by bus to places like Bengaluru and Chennai are forced to shell out three times the normal fare for ticket. The Department’s decision will bring cheer to regular travellers, especially IT professionals working in the major South Indian cities, who are left to bear the brunt of the high ticket prices,” said Transport Commissioner Tomin J Thachankary.
Once the new fare system is implemented, during festival seasons, interstate bus operators can collect only 15 per cent more than what the KSRTC charges. “Currently, there is a provision for the KSRTC to hike its fares by 15 per cent during season, which will be applicable the private bus operators also, including ‘Volvo services,” said Thachankary. A total of 150 bus operators from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka attended the first of its kind meeting held in the State. “Besides, the meeting discussed the alleged ‘anomaly’ in tax rates in the State; implementation of speed-governor; transportation of commodities in passenger carriers and misuse of bus permit,” added Thachankary.
decision comes as a relief
The Department’s decision will bring cheer to regular travellers, especially IT professionals working in the major South Indian cities, who are left to bear the brunt of the high ticket prices, said Transport Commissioner Tomin J Thachankary.