Both private and KSRTC bus fares may go up following the diesel price hike.
Transport minister Aryadan Muhammed said here on Sunday that the next cabinet meeting will take up the “reasonable demand” for a discussion. Meanwhile, lorry owners have unilaterally effected a 30 per cent hike in their rates.
“The demand of bus owners is reasonable. In the past too, we’ve hiked ticket prices whenever there was a diesel price increase.
The KSRTC too will be forced to cough up an additional `120 crore per annum if ticket fares are not revised,” the minister said.
While private bus owners demand the minimum bus fare to be revised to Rs 7 from the present Rs 5, the KSRTC management will hold a meet on Monday to discuss the “percentage increase” in ticket rates.
A committee appointed to suggest measures to save the loss-making KSRTC has suggested an increase of cess, among others, an official said.
“We’ll hold a meet of private bus owners in Ernakulam on Monday and send our proposals to the government.
The authorities have promised to take a decision by Wednesday,” said MB Satyan, president of the private bus owners’ federation.
LORRY STRIKE
Meanwhile, lorry owners have decided to raise their rates by 30 per cent from Monday. “We will not operate services if people decline to pay 30 per cent higher rates,” K.K. Hamza president of the state lorry owners’ welfare federation said. On the impact of the 30 per cent rise, Hamza said it would vary from city to city.