As the minimum charges for long-distance buses go up to Rs 8, passengers to distant destinations, who are the backbone of the state enterprise, could switch to trains which could help them end up paying less. Kochi: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) could lose a significant segment of its passengers when the hike in bus ticket prices comes into effect on March 1. As the minimum charges for long-distance buses go up to Rs 8, passengers to distant destinations, who are the backbone of the state enterprise, could switch to trains which could help them end up paying less.
They might also rely on autorickshaws for short journeys rather than go for the more expensive buses.
An Ernakulam-Thiruvananthapuram journey via Alappuzha on express trains cost only Rs 75. If it's via Kottayam, the ticket price is Rs 80. A KSRTC super fast bus trip via Alappuzha already costs Rs 177, and goes up by a rupee if the journey is via Kottayam. The train journey is less expensive than a one-way trip on the bus, with money still left.
KSRTC buses also levy Re 1 as insurance cess for a Rs 15 ticket. It is Rs 10 for tickets above Rs. 100. This is an extra Rs 10 in state buses on long journeys, compared to private buses.
A short trip in an autorickshaw costs Rs 20 for three people. On an ordinary bus, it will go up to Rs 24. The main cities in the state will have shared autorickshaws, as part of the city traffic co-ordination authority plan recently adopted by the state Cabinet. Once shared autos are available, the city buses will have to go begging for passengers. Bus owners can, however, seek relief from the thought that autorickshaw charges could also be increased soon.
Private buses could be run under companies and societies in the cities, but the KSTRC has no such hope. The surge in two-wheelers in Kerala is due to the frequent increase in bus fare. In 2015-16, two-wheelers formed 64% of the registered vehicles in the state. A ride for two people on a two-wheeler is less expensive than a bus.
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