Facing pressure and criticism from several quarters, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation on Saturday reversed its decision to increase the bus pass fares for students.
The bus pass fare was hiked somewhere between Rs 100-200 for students of various grades, depending upon whether they are studying in primary, high school or Pre-University.
The student bus passes have been subject to concessions every year as the government bears 50% of the total cost, while the transport corporations bear 25% of the cost and students pay the remaining 25%.
The decision was expected as even the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) had even withdrawn its hike of bus passes for students recently in the face of protests.
“On Saturday, we received a communication from the Transport Department stating that the order allowing the Corporation to revise the student bus pass rate stands cancelled. We have rolled back the student bus pass rates, which will now be the same as last year,” a BMTC official told The Hindu.
He added, “In a week, smart card (student bus pass) issue centres will be made operational in Majestic and other identified locations. Last year, we had issued 3.5 lakh smart cards. A majority of the cards will be renewed for the current academic year. In a couple of weeks, at least 50 centres will be made operational for issuing the cards.”
Since Friday, the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) and other student organisation had been organising protests across the city and state to protest against the pass price hike.
Speaking at the Mysore Bank Circle rally in Bengaluru on Saturday, Roshan L, District secretary of AIDSO, said, “Only a week ago, we were here raising our voices demanding immediate issuance of bus passes or to at least an alternate solution for students to commute without spending money. Now again we are here to demand our fundamental right, the right to education. Yes, the increase in bus pass fare hike directly affects a large section of students to further pursue education.”
He added, “Students are not a source to mint money. It’s time that our governments realise their responsibilities well. Even after the commencement of colleges for a month now, bus passes have not been issued. This is a great burden to our parents and students. Moreover, it is the duty of the government to distribute bus passes on time and not wait for students to ask for them. It’s not that governments are providing any alms to students. Rather we, who pay tax for every little commodity that is purchased, are not scapegoats to bear undue fare hikes.”
