Thiruvananthapuram: In the wake of bus owners warning of an indefinite strike from the 24th of this month, the Cabinet meeting to be convened today may decide on the increase in bus fares. The hike is expected to take effect from April 1.
The Justice Ramachandran Commission had recommended an increase in the charge. The report was not considered by the LDF meeting held yesterday. Normally, the LDF is considered before the cabinet.
Transport Minister Antony Raju had yesterday said that the hike was inevitable and would seek public opinion before then. If you do, the decision will take a few more days.
The bus owners’ joint committee has issued a notice to increase the minimum charge from Rs 8 to Rs 12, increase the minimum charge for students to Rs 6 and increase the kilometer rate to Rs 1.10. At a press conference, committee chairman Lawrence Babu, vice-chairman Gokulam Gokuldas and general convener T Gopinathan demanded that the vehicle tax be completely waived and vehicle tax and fines refunded as recommended by the Ramachandran Commission in 2020.