Bus fares to be hiked next week

Bus fares to be hiked next week

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, June 28, 2011: Since the Canara Bus Operators’ Association (CBOA) has decided to hike bus fares on the basis of last year’s government notification, the bus fare hike in the twin districts is expected to be moderate.

State Bus Owners’ Federation President Rajavarma Ballal told reporters that a meeting of CBOA will be held in a couple of days regarding the hike in bus fares. He said that, if the CBOA wants higher fares, an application has to be submitted to the State Transport Authority (STA) for revision. Currently, fares can be hiked only as per the previous government notification.

Ballal said that fare hike is necessary not only because of fuel hike, but also because of 50 percent hike in tire costs and retreading costs.

He said that, if the CBOA approaches the STA, the bus fare hike can be brought into effect only after the minister gives his approval. This depends on the transport minister’s mood, he said, adding that, since he did not mind approving KSRTC bus fare hike, he should not mind hiking private bus fares too.

DK Hotel Owners Association President Kudpi Jagadeesh Shenoy said that a minimum of 10 percent hike can be expected the following week.