The bus operators’ body in Karnataka plans to approach authorities for fare revision.
Rajavarma Ballal, President of the Karnataka State Bus Owners’ Federation, told Business Line that 80 per cent of the expenditure of a bus operator goes on diesel alone.
“We cannot survive in the present scenario. Unless the Government comes up with the revision of bus fare, it will be difficult for private operators to operate the buses,” he said.
In Karnataka, nearly 7,500 buses are operated by private operators. Of this, more than 3,000 buses are in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, he said.
Stating that the Government has given the powers to revise fares to regional transport authorities (RTAs) at the district level depending on the terrain and operating conditions, he said bus operators will approach the RTAs for revision of fares.
Asked what hike the bus operators are expecting, he said: “I can’t say as of now. It has to be calculated. It involves cost of tyre, diesel, labour everything. We will give the calculation to the RTAs.
“We had the last fare revision in early 2011. Then the price of diesel was Rs 41.75 a litre in Mangalore. Now it is Rs 50.59 a litre,” he added.