Kollam: The KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) fast passenger buses charge higher rate than the super-fast buses on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. This system was implemented during the Covid times.
After the Covid restrictions were lifted, the bus service was resumed increasing the ticket rate by 25 percent. Later, the ticket rate of super class buses like superfast, super deluxe and deluxe super was reduced by 25 percent on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday when the number of passengers is comparatively low.
However, this reduction was not applicable for the buses that belong to the classes below fast passenger. With this, the fast passenger bus charge on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday became higher than superfast rate.
The passengers who board fast passenger buses on these days expecting less ticket charge will be in trouble due to this system. The regular passengers opined that allowing the reduction in higher classes of bus and sustaining high charge in fast passenger is injustice.
The ticket rate from Thiruvananthapuram to Kollam is Rs 87 in superfast and Rs 84 in fast passenger. The ticket rate in superfast is only Rs 69 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, but the rate remains Rs 84 in fast passengers during these days too. Also the journey takes more time in fast passenger.
The difference is visible in short distance also. Ticket charge from Kollam to Karunagappally is Rs 30 in superfast on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. But the rate is Rs 36 in fast passenger. KSRTC has not yet reduced the ticket rate even though income improved now.