KSRTC Mangaluru Reverses Fare Hike After Tollgate Closure
The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Mangaluru division has officially rolled back the recent fare increase for buses plying on the crucial Mangaluru-Kasaragod route. This decision comes in direct response to the sudden stoppage of toll collection at the Arikkady tollgate near Kumbala in Kasaragod district, which occurred on Wednesday.
Immediate Fare Reduction Following Toll Suspension
Senior divisional controller of the KSRTC Mangaluru division, Rajesh Shetty, confirmed that the division has reduced the bus fares with immediate effect. The fare hike was initially implemented after the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) commenced toll collection at the newly constructed Arikkady tollgate on January 13. The toll amounts were automatically deducted from the FASTag accounts of KSRTC buses operating on this route.
However, following a central government order, toll collection at this facility has been suspended. Consequently, the KSRTC Mangaluru division has ceased collecting the additional charges from passengers traveling between Mangaluru and Kasaragod.
Details of the Original Fare Increase
The division had increased bus fares on all services along the Mangaluru-Kasaragod route on National Highway-66 after the NHAI began toll collection at Arikkady. Specifically, fares for ordinary bus services were raised by Rs 7, while Rajahamsa services saw an increase of Rs 10. This adjustment meant that the bus charge from Mangaluru to Kasaragod escalated from Rs 81 to Rs 88.
Current Toll Structure on the Route
With the suspension of toll collection at Arikkady, vehicles on the Mangaluru-Kasaragod route now only pay toll at the Talapady tollgate. The current toll rates at Talapady are as follows:
- Light Motor Vehicles (LMV): Rs 80 for same-day return
- Heavy Vehicles (including buses): Rs 250 for same-day return
Previously, the Arikkady tollgate was deducting Rs 130 for same-day return from light motor vehicles and a substantial Rs 450 from buses. The removal of this additional toll burden has directly facilitated the fare rollback by KSRTC, providing immediate relief to daily commuters and travelers on this interstate corridor.
