Mangalore: Although the 25Paise coins have become rare and have gone out of circulation in many parts of the city, the Regional Transport Authority has permitted to raise the minimum travel fare by (private) bus routes upto 2kms, by 50 paise.
Thus the fare will start with Rs4.50 and when change is not available, the city commuter may have to pay Rs.5.00 foregoing an extra 50P. The revised bus fares will be effective from March 23.
The other rates will remain the same as those fixed on January 21, under Karnataka High Court direction.
The DK Bus Owners’ Association has not accepted the hike, nor is it ready to consent to this meager hike that does not fit into its demand.
Aziz Partippady, General Secretary said that revised bus fares were not advantageous for city buses. His association did not conquer with the fare so fixed. He added that maintenance costs had gone up and scientific calculations on actual costs were needed for a fare hike in fares.
The minimum fares for city buses and rural buses are the same at Rs.4.50, a release indicated.