Times News Network

Bangalore, Jul 7: If you are angry with KSRTC for its recent fare hike between Re 1 and Rs 10 collected as infrastructure fee, pause for a while. The hike is to discard the tag of KSRTC being a 'poor man's vehicle' and provide infrastructure facilities even in the remotest corners of the state.

Come July 1, KSRTC started collecting infrastructure fees will be used to provide facilities such as drinking water and toilets.

KSRTC managing director A P Joshi told The Times of India that the corporation required Rs 265 crore to provide a fleet of 1,550 new buses with an additional 50 Volvo buses, apart from starting around 20 new bus station and depot projects.

"For the buses alone, we need to spend Rs 230 crore, while the rest will be used for upgradation work and providing bus stations. We also have around 67 spill-over projects. Also, there are over 50 request projects that we need to consider. There is a serious constraint of funds. Hence, we decided to collect this fee," he said.

Joshi said the corporation was also spending Rs 18 crore annually to pay interests on loans.

"The amount raised will go back to the commuter this year itself. We have consciously kept out short distance commuters and schoolgoers from this." About 58% of commuters in the state are spared from this hike.

Work on bus stations in Hassan, Arakalgud, Hunsur and Bangarpet will commence shortly followed by work on depots in Bhadravati, Magadi and K R Pet.