The recent increase in BMTC fares seems to have opened a can of worms going by the number of people participating in a public consultation to discuss the price rise and the way forward.
At the consultation, Vinay Srinivas of ALF pointed out that while there has been a 15 per cent increase in diesel rates over the last couple of years, the bus fares have gone up by 50 per cent. “The immediate demand and need is to roll back the fares,” he said.
‘Volvo Not for Common Man’
The Volvo services too have come under the scanner with people questioning the lack of ordinary services or reduced ordinary services along many of the IT corridors. “Those working as IT professionals may be able to afford the Volvo services, but what about others like the housekeeping staff?” he asked.
“It is simply not fair to ask a person earning Rs 5,000 a month to pay Rs 1,000 for travelling by public transport. The BMTC’s objective is to provide services that will help in fulfilling their right to work, this will not be possible with the increasing bus fares,” he said.
In order to work out the future course of action, which includes setting up a BMTC users’ forum and campaigning to roll back fares, another meeting will be held on Monday.