JOIN USGovt effects marginal reduction in bus fares
The government on Wednesday reduced fares of State-run buses by Re 1 to Rs 11 with effect from Friday midnight. It said the slashed fares would not be applicable to air-conditioned and inter-state buses.
The reduction of Re 1 in bus fares of Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) and North East Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NEKRTC) may not make much difference for the people.
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said the BMTC would reduce fares by Re 1 in stages starting from 1, 9, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22 and 23. For the BMTC, each stage is approximately two kilometres while for KSRTC, NWKRTC and NEKRTC the distance between two stages is about 5 km.
Thus, the reduction in BMTC fares from Stages 1 to 8 will be Re 1, which is roughly about 16 km. Those travelling further up to 24 kilometres can enjoy a reduction of Rs 2.
In road transport corporations, the reduction in fares for ordinary services will be Re 1 for stages 4, 6, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17. This means that up to 20 km the reduction will be Re 1 in the fares while between Stages 4 and 6 the reduction will be Rs 2.
Thus, the reduction will increase as the passenger travels up to further stages. In the express services category the benefit ranges between Re 1 and Rs 11.
The Transport Department could not provide the percentage of decrease in the fares. Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said the reduction was effected following public demand although the projected loss for the RTCs was of Rs 161 crore for the current financial year.
Various constraints
“We could not decrease much due to various constraints such as buying high-speed diesel, establishment expenses and the huge losses,” said Reddy.
He said if the concession given to students was reduced from 60 per cent to 50 per cent, it would be a no-profit-no-loss business. Only Karnataka had reduced bus fares. The losses started from 2012-13. “The loss in 2012-13 was Rs 147.95 crore, which we could not make up till now,” said Reddy.