Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Apr 13: Bus fares of private buses across city, service, and express buses in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district will go up by one to two rupees with effect from April 16.
President of Karnataka Bus Operators Federation, K Rajavarma Ballal, said that hike in bus fare will be one rupee per seat with effect form April 16 in view of steep hike in cost of operating transport industry.
"Last hike we affected was one rupee on December 28, 2016. Then, diesel price per litre was Rs 56.55 which has now reached Rs 65.80. Because of tough competition with government buses, private buses have lost 50 percent passengers," he claimed. He said that as per the notification issued by Karnataka government on July 31, 2013, there is provision to increase bus fares in the light of increase in prices of diesel, oil, lubricants, steel, taxes, salary etc.
Minimum fare for city buses will go up from seven rupees to eight. In case of services buses, minimum fare will be increased to nine rupees from the current eight. For express buses, the fare may go up to ten rupees. The fare will be hiked by two rupees wherever current fare is over Rs 20.
Ballal pointed out that tax has gone by up 50 percent and insurance premium has been hiked by 40 percent. "GST stands at 28 percent. Toll charges work out to Rs 750 to 800 per day. We have already approached the regional transport authority with proposal to hike fare as above in order to be able to run transport industry without suffering losses," he stated.
Hike in private bus fare will have adverse effect on political parties and voters during election time. But private bus owners point towards cost of operation that is going up,duly promising not to increase the fare if the prices of commodities are kept under control.
Deputy commissioner of the district, Priyanka Mary Francis, said that hike in private bus fares does not fall under the purview of election code of conduct norms but reminded the bus operators that they cannot increase fare without the approval of the regional transport authority.