THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The cabinet on Wednesday reversed its decision to announce a hike in bus fares, including a 40 percent extra charge for night travel, as it felt that the announcement might trigger public anger against the government.

The government had included the proposal to charge 40 percent extra for night travel in the report on the bus fare hike to appease some vested interests.

While there was generally no objection to raising the minimum ticket charge for ordinary buses from Rs 8 to Rs 10, a 40% extra charge on night travel will affect labour workers and those working in shops and restaurants. Therefore, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan decided to hold further discussions regarding the matter. The matter did not reach the cabinet. There is no extra charge for night travel on ordinary buses in any of the neighbouring states. Bus fares are also cheaper there. Kerala Kaumudi had pointed these out in a report published yesterday.