Representational Image | Mathrubhumi/ Sreejith P Raj
Pathanamthitta: Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is facing flak for charging high ticket fares on its buses. It is alleged that KSRTC has been looting the passengers who board its special services from Pamba.
The pilgrims complained that they were forced to pay the ticket charge from Pamba to Thiruvananthapuram irrespective of their destination.
For instance, the bus fare for a journey from Pamba to Thiruvananathapuram in a KSRTC bus will cost Rs 294, and Rs 143 if the person is bound for Pathanamthitta. However, with KSRTC’s revised policy, no matter where the passenger gets off, the person is liable to pay the fare to the last destination of the bus.
KSRTC is only conducting services to Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta, and Chengannur from Pamba. Passengers who get off the bus in-between are forced to pay the full fare.
Meanwhile, the devotees also complained that the buses only leave Pamba depot after every seat in the bus is occupied. This forced devotees to spend hours in the depot.
Meanwhile, KSRTC revealed that buses to Thiruvananthapuram will incur loss if passengers to Pathanamthitta board on it.
“ When there is buses to Pathanamthitta, pilgrims should not board on Thiruvananthapuram bus. It will attract huge loss to the service,” they said.