Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jan 22: Even before the official commencement of toll collection at Kumbala on the Mangaluru–Kasargod route, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has increased ticket fares on its buses operating on this sector.

From Tuesday morning, KSRTC buses began collecting revised fares by including the toll amount. However, ticket fares on Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses operating on the same route have not been increased so far.

The fare from Kumbala to Mangaluru, which was earlier Rs 67, has now been increased to Rs 75. In the case of Rajahamsa services, the fare has been raised by Rs 10, from Rs 80 to Rs 90. Karnataka State transport buses have increased ticket fares by Rs 7, and the revised fares have been implemented from Tuesday itself, triggering anger among passengers.

Meanwhile, officials of the Mangaluru division of the Karnataka transport department have submitted a representation to the Kasargod district collector seeking exemption from toll payment.

In the memorandum, KSRTC stated that Karnataka transport buses operating on the Kasargod–Mangaluru route ply entirely on service roads and do not use the national highway at any point, except while passing through the Kumbala toll gate. In view of this, toll exemption should be granted. Otherwise, the additional financial burden would have to be passed on to passengers through higher ticket fares, KSRTC has pointed out in its appeal to the district collector.

Around 35 Karnataka KSRTC buses operate daily on the Kasargod route, requiring approximately Rs 48,000 per day towards toll payments. KSRTC officials in Mangaluru stated that if they are forced to pay toll charges despite not using the highway, an increase in ticket fares would be unavoidable.

Although Kerala KSRTC buses also operate on the same route, ticket fares have not been increased citing toll charges. Officials of the Kasargod division clarified that if ticket fares are to be revised, the transport minister must convene a departmental meeting, take a decision and issue official orders accordingly.