Bus fare hiked in Kerala

The state government has increased the per km rate in a range of 3 per cent to 10 per cent

The minimum fare for the public bus service in Kerala has been raised to Rs 6 from Rs 5. Chief minister Oommen Chandy today announced the hike in bus fares after a cabinet meeting.

For students, the minimum charge will be Re 1 from 50 paise earlier.

The per km rate has been increased in a range of 3 to 10 per cent.

Now minimum fare in fast passenger buses will be Rs 8 (Rs 6) and for super fast it will be Rs 12 (Rs 10). Super express will cost Rs 17 (Rs 15) and super deluxe buses will have a minimum charge of Rs 25 (Rs 20). For volvo buses, the minimum fare will be Rs 35 from the present Rs 30.

Bus fares in the state have been revised after 14 months. For students, the hike in charges comes after a gap of 11 years.

Chandy said the government was seriously considering an increase in charges of auto and taxi services also in the light of diesel price hike.