The Government of Kerala, through an act called - Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (Passenger Group personal accident insurance, improved passenger amenities, employees social security and Cess on passenger Ticket) Act - introduced an additional cess on all passenger tickets to provide for a fund to pay Insurance premiums. This additional cess has increased KSRTC bus ticket rates by Rs. 1 to Rs 10 depending on the distance travelled. While providing additional insurance coverage to passengers is a welcome move, placing additional burden on the common man is not acceptable. 

This hike in ticket fares has made KSRTC expensive by a large margin as compared to Private stage carriage buses in Kerala. This measure has compelled passengers to keep away from KSRTC buses and depend on private buses and trains. This measure will increase the losses of KSRTC and should be seen as a way of giving undue advantage to private bus operators in Kerala. 

We urge the Government of Kerala and Kerala State Road Transport Corporation to withdraw this ill-advised additional cess and save the common man from the additional burden.