Mangalore bus fare hike put off for now

City bus commuters have been spared the imminent increase, but for the commuters of Express and mofussil buses, there is no relief.

Burning issue: Democratic Youth Federation of India members staged a protest against hike in Bus fares of city and Mofussil routes and burnt an effigy in Mangalore on Wednesday..Photo: R.Eswarraj

With the Dakshina Kannada Bus Owners Association urging the Regional Transport Officer to increase bus fare, the city bus commuters have been spared of the imminent increase. But for the commuters of Express and mofussil buses, there is no relief.

On a day of fast developments, when protest was held questioning the stance of private bus operators going for unilateral hiking of fare, the association submitted a representation to the RTO, who is the Secretary of the District Road Transport Authority (RTA).

The differences among the associations of bus owners also came to the fore.

President of Karnataka State Bus Operators Association K. Rajavarma Ballal on Saturday had announced increasing bus fare by about 15 per cent from Tuesday including, for the city services.

“What Mr. Ballal announced applied to Express and mofussil route buses. We are a separate entity and we prefer going through RTA,” said Nelson Pereira, the newly elected president of Dakshina Kannada Bus Owners Association. “We are following procedure that has been followed for years,” he said.

The Democratic Youth Federation of India activists on Wednesday carried out demonstration against the unilateral decision of the State Bus Operators Association to increase the bus fare, bypassing the RTA.

Mr. Ballal said the announcement was made after informing RTA. Mr. Ballal said the increase was well within 25 per cent limit allowed by the State government in its July 31 order.

Deputy Commissioner N. Prakash said he was looking into the decision of the State Bus Operators Association.