Kochi: Private buses are set stay off roads in Kerala from next month as operators find the going tough in view of poor demand owing to the persisting threat of COVID-19. From August 1, the services won't be available if the owners' association keep its word.
The Joint Action Council of Bus Owners in Kerala announced the decision on Monday.
Several private buses were back on roads from May 20, 58 days after it was halted due to the state-wide lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus. Buses plying on short-distance routes had resumed operations even as restrictions on area limits and passenger capacity continued as more and more places in the state reported COVID-19 cases.
In May, the Kerala government had agreed to a temporary hike in bus fare by 50 per cent including raising the minimum rate from Rs 8 to Rs 12 in a bid to encourage bus operators to restart services.
Though it was planned to allow only 50 per cent capacity, bus operators had found this limitation unfeasible. Later, buses were granted permission to carry passengers in all available seats, however the order to raise fares was revoked.
But on June 5, a single bench of the Kerala High Court stayed the annulment while considering a plea filed by the All-Kerala Bus Operators Forum.
Subsequently, the division bench of High Court, stayed the order of the single judge bench allowing private bus operators to collect the increased fare from passengers.
Buses hit the roads again as the government announced a fare hike last month, but the new fare structure too is not enough to make up for the low revenues these days.
The limits placed on standees in buses and the low demand for public transport in view of the COVID-19 pandemic have taken a toll on the profits of private bus operators when diesel prices are also regularly going up.
