Click to play videoHyderabad: Andhra Pradesh government has implemented a price hike to compensate for losses due to Telangana statehood agitations.
Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has raised prices almost one and a half times to compensate for losses incurred in during the agitations.
The minimum fare is now up from Rs 2 to Rs 5. A monthly pass will cost Rs 500 instead of the earlier Rs 340.
APSRTC says raising prices is the best way of compensating for the almost Rs 270 crore loss incurred.
But the public isn't buying the argument.
"If they want to collect revenue, tax something else but not day to day public transport. What will the common people do?" asks a passenger.
"I think it is a wrong decision by the government. How can they increase bus fares during festive season? How will people travel to meet their relatives?" says another.
The government says political parties should also share the blame. But vocal protests are making them reconsider the hike.
"We have apprised the Chief Minister of the situation. It is under consideration," says Vijayaramaraju, Andhra Minister for Transport.
The traders and citizens are trying to cope with the volatile Telangana agitation.
It is no surprise that the state government is already facing flak for its price hike decision.
But with power utilities in the state also making a request for an inevitable tariff hike, looks like the festivities this season in Andhra Pradesh will come at a higher cost.
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