In Kerala, majority of the general public depends on the private and KSRTC buses to commute to and fro their work places. The latest bus strike in the series is likely to leave a double blow to the commuters as a section of the KSRTC bus employees are also striking work this time to press their various demands including the release of their DA arrears. The meeting with the Transport Minster failed to reach a consensus on the various issues raised by the private bus operators including scrapping of students concessions and hiking the ticket fares among other demands.<\/p>\n
Today, Kerala has the highest ticket fares in South India. States like Tamil Nadu still has the minimum fare of 2 rupees while in Kerala it was revised to Rupees 3 .50 almost an year ago. An imminent price hike on the cards would make it overly costly and will not serve the public. With the prices of the daily commodities spiralling out of control, life for common man is already a night mare. Being burdened with a fare hike at this stage would only add up to the miseries of the public. Anyone in the upper echelons of the power corridor listening?
\nConvenor of Bus Operators’ Federation T Gopinath said the strike was being called off in view of the “promise” given by the Chief Minister that the demands including fare hike and increase in students’ ticket rates would be considered favourably.<\/p>\n
According to sources, the government is likely to effect an increase of 50 paise in the minimum charge from the present Rs 3.50.<\/p>\n
Earlier in the day, the bus onwers’ association leaders had discussion with members of the Ministerial sub-committee set up to deal with the issue.<\/p>\n