Ashok defends Vayu Vajra fare revision

Ashok defends Vayu Vajra fare revision
Bangalore, April 29, DHNS

For Transport Minister R Ashok the revision of Vayu Vajra (volvo) bus fare is mere ‘rationalisation’ of ticket prices. Defending the revision of price the minister said, ''The BMTC has not hiked the fare. It has only brought about uniform tariff chart across the City.''

Speaking to media persons on Thursday he said the revision would not burden the passengers. The ticket fare in Vayu Vajra buses plying in the eastern part of the City i.e the IT sector, was higher when compared to bus prices in other areas. Now, the BMTC has rationalised the fares across the City on par with fares prevailing in the IT sector.

The BMTC increased Vayu Vajra bus fares with effect from Tuesday. Fare of daily pass for these buses has been increased from Rs 75 to Rs 80. Fare of tickets has also gone up from Rs 5 to Rs 10 per stage.

Green autos

The State government will soon issue a notification making digital meter and LPG kit compulsory in new autorickshaws. The Transport Department will issue notification in the next 15 days.

Transport Minister said the owners would get a subsidy of Rs 1,500 to install digital meters. A meeting will be convened with the autorickshaw owners and drivers’ associations to make digital meters and LPG kit compulsory for old autos as well.

Free bus service

The BMTC has proposed to run mini bus service between Railway station and BMTC bus stand (Kempe Gowda bus stand in Majestic) to help the train passengers.

The service will be free of cost. Transport minister R Ashok said the measure will help tackle the autorickshaw menace in the railway station.

The minister, on Thursday, informed the media that BMTC officials had held preliminary talks with the Divisional Railway Manager to launch the bus service. The Railway Department has to clear the proposal.