Bus fares unlikely to be reduced

Reduced diesel price would help them to make good the loss, RTCs claim State road transport corporations are unlikely to reduce fares following a reduction in the price of diesel with effect from Saturday midnight. Minister for Transport Ramalinga Reddy said that the reduction may not remain stable for a long period. Since the price has been deregulated and is governed by international crude prices, the State road transport corporations will wait and watch, he said and ruled out any immediate decision. While the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, the North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation and the North East Karnataka Road Transport Corporation had hiked the fares by 7.96 per cent from May 4 this year, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation had increased the fares by an average of 15 per cent from April 24. The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation claimed an increase of about Rs. 210 crore and Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation about Rs. 300 crore due to a constant increase in diesel price and cost towards employees to justify the hike. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation Managing Director Rajendra Kumar Kataria toldThe Hindu that they will not reduce fares given the volatility in diesel price. It will strive to offset the losses hitherto being accrued, he said. -The Hindu