Passengers will have to pay more towards bus fare from next month on the buses of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) with the government giving the nod for collecting cess for implementing an insurance scheme for travellers.
Commuters will not have to pay insurance cess for tickets up to Rs.13. An additional Re.1 will be collected as insurance cess for tickets costing from Rs.14 to 23, Rs.2 for tickets from Rs.24 to Rs.48, Rs.3 for tickets from Rs.49 to Rs.73, Rs.4 for tickets from Rs.74 to Rs.98, and Rs.5 for tickets from Rs.99.
All those travelling on KSRTC buses will be covered by the insurance scheme. Depending on the gravity of the injuries, they will get up to Rs.3,000 from the insurance company through the KSRTC. For claims above Rs.3,000, the parties will have to approach the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal.
The insurance scheme will be implemented next month. Such a scheme is being implemented for the first time in a State transport utility, and will give immediate relief to passengers with minor injuries, Minister for Transport Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan told presspersons here on Tuesday after talks with the registered unions of the KSRTC.
Talks with firms on
The KSRTC management is holding talks with four insurance companies to give final shape to the scheme. The insurance premium will be paid directly by the KSRTC.
Pension arrears of two months to the retirees, salaries, wages, festival allowance, and festival advance of Rs.4,000 to the employees will be paid before Onam. The pension arrears of June and July will cost Rs.76 crore, and will be paid immediately. The pension for August will be paid before September 20.
Next two months will witness major changes in the KSRTC as part of efforts to make it a modern transport utility, Mr. Radhakrishnan said.
A parcel and courier service, digital advertisements, and public information systems will be launched with the approval of the director board.
News: The Hindu
