Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government on Wednesday gave the nod to hike the fares of buses, autos and taxis plying in the state.
The minimum charge for bus fares (for 2.5 km) has been hiked to Rs 10 from the present Rs 8, Transport Minister Antony Raju said.
For each additional kilometre, Re 1 will be charged instead of 90 paise.
The Minister, said that the LDF during the day held a meeting in which it was decided to appoint a commission to examine the issue of increasing the student ticket rates. The new rates will be decided soon, he assured.
Currently, students pay Re 1 for 1.5 km and Rs 2 for a 5-km ride.
Private bus owners had demanded increasing the minimum fare of the general public from Rs 8 to Rs 12 and the subsequent per kilometre charge to Rs 1.10 from 90 paise. But this was struck down by the government.
They had also wanted the minimum student fare to be increased to Rs 6 and were, therefore, dissatisfied with the government's decision.
The Kerala State Private Bus Operators Federation's president, Sathyan, told PTI that earlier a commission had recommended an increase in student ticket fares as well as a cap on the age of students who can be granted the concession.
Therefore, it needs to be seen what the LDF intends to do by appointing another commission, he said and added that the bus owners will try to meet Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to discuss their concerns as they had called off their indefinite stir on his assurance that fares would be hiked.
Auto, taxi fares also hiked
The LDF meeting also decided to increase auto, taxi and quadricycle fares.
The minimum auto charge has been increased from Rs 25 to Rs 30 (for 2 km).
For each additional kilometre, Rs 15 will be charged as against the existing Rs 12 per km.
The minimum charge for taxis below 1500cc was increased from Rs 175 to Rs 200 (5 km) and the kilometre charge from Rs 15 to Rs 18.
The minimum fare for taxis exceeding 1500 cc has been increased from Rs 200 to Rs 225 (5 km) and the kilometre fare from Rs 17 to Rs 20.
Minimum fares of quadricycles would be hiked from Rs 30 to Rs 35 and the per kilometre charge would be increased from Rs 12 to Rs 15, the minister said.
However, there will be no changes to the existing waiting and night travel charges, he added.
Earlier, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had given approval for a slew of revisions.
The minister said the hike in fares was inevitable in the face of soaring fuel prices.
The development comes on the back of recommendations submitted by the Justice Ramachandran Committee.
The government-appointed committee had held discussions thrice with all the concerned parties before making the recommendations.
It is not clear when the new rates will become effective.
