Roll back bus fare hike: Activists

The Bangalore Bus Prayanikara Vedike (BBPV) on Wednesday urged the state government to roll back the recent bus fare hike immediately for the benefit of the people. Minister for transport Ramalinga Reddy had recently announced the roll back of bus fare hike by one rupee for the first stage only.

Speaking at a signature campaign launched at KR Market, Manohar Elavarthy of BBPV said the BMTC rolled back the fares for the first stage  by only a rupee.

“While we welcome the roll-back, we would like to point out that this is insufficient. The fare increase for all stages and for all passes needs to be rolled back for the benefit of large section of society,’’ said Elavarthy. He said that the members of BBPV plan to submit a memorandum to the minister on Thursday.

The demands of the forum are: the fare increases of the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) should be rolled back; BMTC bus fares must be fixed in such a way that they do not exceed 5 per cent of the lowest minimum wages fixed by the state government; the number of buses and routes must be increased to ensure the whole city is well covered; mini buses must be introduced to cover interior areas and slums; all bus terminals must have shelters, toilets and drinking water facilities; appoint a committee with equal representation from among expert suggested by the Vedike and BMTC on the issue of sexual harassment of women and children; free passes to senior citizens, people with disability, antyodaya card holder and school children.

The BBPV has also demanded that the minister must ensure that a process of public consultation is  announced by July 30 to make BMTC more people-friendly, equitable, democratic and transparent.