While the State Road Transport Corporations were too stingy in reducing fares, despite saving huge surplus on Wednesday, the Dakshina Kannada Regional Transport Authority (RTA) on Thursday successfully prevailed upon private operators to revert to the previous fare structure.
As a result, fares of city buses in Mangaluru would be less by Re. 1 for all stages, except the first and sixth stages, where they would remain at Rs. 7 and Rs. 12 respectively. In ordinary and expresses services, fares would be less by Re. 1 to Rs. 5, depending upon the stage-kilometer even as the minimum fare becomes Rs. 7 from Rs. 8.
Chairing a special meeting convened for the purpose of fare revision on account of steep reduction in diesel prices here, Deputy Commissioner, A.B. Ibrahim said he would be rescinding the latest fare revision notification issued on July 1, 2014, thereby paving the way for enforcement of the August 20, 2013 notification.
While the decision would immediately be applicable for city buses in Mangaluru, for ordinary and express buses, a separate notification in consultation with the Udupi RTA would be issued later, he said.
Canara Bus Owners’ Association President, Rajavarma Ballal said operators were prepared to reduce the fares by about 6 per cent. He said that the cost of operation comes to Rs. 33.09 per km and the fares were fixed at Rs. 0.93 per km. They would be happy to reduce it to Rs. 0.88 per km, he said. Though diesel has become cheap, cost of other components including tyres, lubes and staff is on the rise, he argued.
General public, including activists G. Hanumanth Kamath, B.S. Hasanabba and others demanded fare reduction at least by Rs. 2 for every stage since diesel price has come down by over Rs. 8 from the date of previous fare hike. They said common man is not aware of prices of other inputs and operators demand fare hike only when there is hike in diesel price.
Mr. Ibrahim said instead of fare revision once in six months, the next fare revision would take place if the diesel price comes down to Rs. 45 or goes up to Rs. 60, for which both the public and operators agreed.
Crew sensitization
Superintendent of Police Sharanappa directed all bus operators to sensitise their crew with regard to treating the elderly, women, children and the disabled, in a proper manner within two months. Despite repeated directions, the crew have not been taught proper behaviour, he said.
In-charge Regional Transport Officer Sridhar Nayak said the department has booked 54 cases against City Bus operators for not equipping conductors with electronic ticket issuing machines, after the December 31, 2014 deadline. He urged all the operators to comply with the direction immediately.
Present cost of operation/Km (in Rs) as claimed by bus owners:
Diesel - 15.50
Tyres - 3.81
Service - 0.97
Maintenance - 1.90
Fixed expenses - 10.90
Total - 33.09
