The Supreme Court verdict upholding the state government’s decision to restrict super class services to Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is hailed as a shot in the arm for the struggling state carrier.
The verdict on Friday has put an end to the prolonged legal battle between private bus operators and the state government, which first issued the order on July 16, 2013. The apex court opined that it was the prerogative of the state to decide on public transport.
Photo : Abdul Nazeem
There are 241 bus services in the state, mostly operating in Kottayam and Malabar region, which came under special class service. This included 155 private fast passenger stage carriage permits, 64 super fast permits and 22 private super express permits. These services were converted as limited stop ordinary service on February 8, 2016.
According to KSRTC officials these services resulted in a revenue loss of `2 lakh per day to the state carrier. The KSRTC incurs a loss of `33 crore per month.
Meanwhile, Lawrence Babu, general secretary of Private Bus Operator’s Association, opined that the government should also consider the problems faced by private bus operators. He pointed out that KSRTC has been running parallel service alongside the private LSOS services. “There should be a complementary approach for coexistence of both sectors. Many of us have invested over `60 lakh for a bus.” he said.
According to him the state government’s stand that private super class services were not offering student concession was unfound.
News : The New Indian Express
