Commuters unhappy over Volvo fare hike on M’lore-Manipal route

DHNS

Udupi, 02 Apr 2012: Volvo fare hike from Mangalore- Udupi- Manipal has disappointed commuters as they wait for A.C bus to beat summer heat.

 

The KSRTC’s decision to hike the bus fare for Mangalore-Udupi and Mangalore-Manipal Volvo buses has come as a disappointment to the commuters because most of the people traveling from Mangalore to Udupi or Manipal wait for the a/c Volvo buses to beat the scorching summer heat.

 

The Volvo bus fare from Mangalore-Udupi has been increased from Rs 65 to Rs 80 while Mangalore- Manipal fare has been increased from Rs 70 to 80.

 

This sudden and sharp increase of about Rs 15 has not been taken well by the passengers, who say that traveling by Volvo buses has become a costly and an unaffordable affair.

 

A bank employee who travels by Volvo bus everyday says that he has to shell out additional Rs 30 per day, if he wants to go home in Volvo. “I have learnt that the fares of other Volvo routes have not been increased.

 

Why only the fare for this route has been increased,” he questioned.The students and other daily commuters demand the officials to hike the price judiciously and scientifically, in a way that nobody feels it to be a burden.

 

Meanwhile, there are a section of people who feel that the bus fare has been hiked only to help the private bus operators who had been largely affected after the introduction of Volvo bus service in the region.

 

DC promises

“The number of passengers is usually more during April, May and June (Peak season), so we increase fares just for these three months. It is being followed every year according to the direction of the central office, for all three kinds- Volvo, Rajahamsa and A/C sleeper coach buses.

 

Fares will be decreased to average from July 1,” said Divisional Traffic Controller M Ramesh. “There is no intention to help private bus owners,” he clarified.