Summary:
Thiruvananthapuram: Travancore Devaswom Board ( TDB ) and KSRTC are at loggerheads over the increase in bus fare between Nilackal and Pamba.Devaswom authorities said they would be forced to operate own transport service for Sabarimala-bound passengers. Transport minister A K Saseendran also came in support of KSRTC .As devotees started protesting against the fare hike at Nilackal, TDB has now approached the chief minister’s office to bring down the rates. However, KSRTC chairman and managing director Tomin J Thachankary said TDB could not operate any service on its own on a nationalized route.“The stage carriage bus fare in the state is decided as per the order of Justice Ramachandran Committee, constituted for advising government on fare revision. KSRTC abides by the government rules,” said Thachankary. He cited the government order which stated that fares for various classes of services on Ghat roads shall be enhanced by 25% of the rates payable for the respective classes of services on roads in theplains.He further pointed out the government order issued in February 2018, which stated that for services operated in connection with festival occasions such as mandalapuja and makaravilakku at Sabarimala, the operators may realise 30% of the rates in addition to the fare fixed respective class of services..