Suspension of inter-state bus service to Kerala enters 3rd week; Owners warn of 20% fare hike as govts remain silent

Chennai: The inter-state private bus services to Kerala from Tamil Nadu have not resumed even after two weeks, following a spate of fines imposed by the Kerala Transport Department for alleged permit violations. Dr A Anbalagan, president of the All India Private Bus Owners Association (AOBIA), has urged both the state governments to step in to resolve the dispute. The suspension of private bus services has caused considerable hardship to passengers, including Sabarimala pilgrims.

Private bus services from Tamil Nadu to Kerala were suspended from November 7 due to disputes over taxes payable to Kerala. Services from Kerala to Tamil Nadu were also halted from November 10. Even with an All India permit, buses travelling from one state to another are required to pay Rs 2.5 lakh in tax for three months.

According to Dr Anbalagan, inter-state services are usually operated only after paying the Central Government tax under the All India permit. Currently, however, state authorities are demanding tax payments as well. To resume services to Kerala, private bus operators must pay Rs 2.5 lakh to the Kerala Transport Department for a three-month period.

Dr Anbalakan stated that if this amount is paid, bus ticket fares may need to be increased by 20%. A total of 230 bus services operate between Tamil Nadu and Kerala, of which 130 run from Chennai to Kerala and back.

Currently, only 10% of private buses from Tamil Nadu have resumed service to Kerala.

Private bus services from Tamil Nadu to Karnataka have also been suspended, with a total of 710 bus services running to and from Karnataka. In addition, 410 bus services operate to and from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.