THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister Antony Raju has said that the hike in bus, auto and taxi rates will not come into effect from tomorrow. The hike will come into effect after solving inadequancies in calculating fair stage. He said the process would take a week and the government would issue an order after that.

When the hike was implemented on March 1, 2018, ordinary buses would be able to travel five kilometers (two fair stage distances) on a minimum charge. During the Covid period, when the charge was first increased and then reduced, the minimum fare was reduced from five to two and a half kilometers. It was decided to increase the charge without returning it back to old way.

The new ticket price on an ordinary bus is the same or more than the current fast passenger fare for short distance travel. At present, the minimum fare from Thiruvananthapuram to Ulloor (8 km) on a fast passenger is Rs 15. However, ordinary buses from Thampanoor via PMG will be charged at the same rate. Buses from East Fort via Statue and Kannammula cost Rs 18.

As earlier, if the distance to be travelled on minimum fare in ordinary buses will be changed to 5 km, it will cost Rs 13 or Rs 15 to reach Ulloor.

More than 60 per cent of the passengers on ordinary buses travel within 10 km. The most sold tickets in a bus is minimum ticket. The travel distance on this stage has been halved.