Mangalore, September 14: The September 15 hike in bus fares will not be the last if one reads the intent of Canara Bus Operators Association (CBOA) members.
''The hike of 4 paise per km is measly when you compare the cost of operation per km," said CBOA President Rajavarma Ballal.
CBOA will approach the high court soon to direct state government to expedite the process of issuing a new government notification regarding the fare hike in a scientific manner. ''We want the government to issue a notification which gives a level playing field for both state run and private bus operators. When the bus fares for KSRTC are hiked, it should allow us also to hike bus fares," said Ballal.
''The KSRTC said they could not even wait for a day after the diesel hike, lest they would run into losses. It is two months since we have submitted the memorandum to the transport minister. Who will make good of our losses?" he questioned.
Thoroughly unhappy with RTA fare rates, Ballal said the existing notification (with the RTA) does not allow the hike more than a certain percentage. The CBOA demanded 15% across the board hike from stage I to the last stage.
''We have demanded the government to give us rates which they have given to the KSRTC, though the state-owned Bus Corporation is subsidized heavily by the government, admitting their overheads were higher.
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