THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Transport minister A. K. Saseendran has said that KSRTC won’t withdraw the ticket rates hiked during the covid-19 induced lockdown period. He also added that the hike in passengers has not increased KSRTC’s revenue to that level so that the ticket price could be reduced. The minister also said that the hiked ticket rates will continue in the special bus services started during the Covid 19 period.

KSRTC put forward the recommendation to reduce the bus ticket rate, as the rush in buses has increased recently. But transport minister has ruled out such possibilities. The government’s move is based on the inference that if ticket rates are reduced then private bus operators could hit the streets with protests.

The transport ministry is looking for recommendations to reduce ticket rates from the subcommittee which earlier bated for an increase in ticket rates. Even though passenger count has increased in the long-distance services of KSRTC, the corporation has not garnered enough increase in revenue to surpass the ongoing revenue crisis. The government might take the decision to maintain the hiked ticket rate with a minor change. It is also gearing up to seek a new report from Justice Ramakrishnan commission for the change in ticket rate.