Karnataka slashes students bus pass rates

In an act that will benefit 14.65 lakh students, Karnataka government today slashed bus pass rates by Rs 100 to Rs 220 besides permitting them to travel in 'Pushpak' (branded buses with more comfort features) services with immediate effect.

The decision to reduce the student bus pass rates was taken keeping in mind the drought and flood situation and also the hardship caused due to rising prices of essential commodities, Deputy Chief Minister R Ashok told reporters.

The reduction in bus pass rates would benefit 14.65 lakh students and cause a Rs 20 crore burden on four Road Transport Corporations, he said.

The existing rate of Rs 1,320 for passes issued to degree and post graduate students will come down to Rs 1,100, Evening college students from Rs 1,680 to Rs 1,480, ITI, Diploma, Bed students bus pass to Rs 1,150 from Rs 1,350, he said.

The rate of bus passes issued to girl students of high schools will come down by Rs 125 from Rs 525 to Rs 400, and for boys from Rs 700 to Rs 600, Ashok said.

In Bangalore City, students can also travel by Pushpak buses, besides ordinary buses, but not in AC coaches, he said.

Ashok ruled out fare hike in the wake of government revising salaries of workers employed in four state-owned Transport Corporations by 10 per cent.

The government has decided to issue driving licences including learner's licence to students in their college campuses. Regional Transport Officials will conduct camps at colleges for this purpose, he said.