1,850 KSRTC buses begin services, operation restricted to 7am-11am, 4pm-7pm time slots

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses started operation in various districts of Kerala on Wednesday.

With a 50 per cent hike in bus fares, 1,850 KSRTC buses will operate within districts during the time periods, 7am-11am and 4pm-7pm. The bus services will be resumed only in the main centres of the respective district.

However, as private buses are not ready for transportation, public transport will not be resumed in northern districts of Kerala.

Transport Minister AK Saseendran had rejected the demand of private bus owners to double the bus fares. The minister said that tax exemptions were made so that neither the bus owners nor the passengers have to suffer.

Buses are allowed to ply with only half the passengers to ensure the strict adherence of social distancing norms. Only 27 passengers can board a bus now. Masks have been made mandatory.

Preparations have begun to ensure that all KSRTC buses are operational soon. The KSRTC has estimated that even with a 100 per cent rise in fares, there would be a deficit of Rs 42 crore.

Transport minister rejects call to double bus fares; KSRTC to begin operations tomorrow

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