And you can carry baggage weighing up to 30 kg without any extra fare
The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is now following airlines’ model by offering baggage free policy for up to 30 kg beyond which passengers have to cough up extra bucks. Interestingly, the
KSRTC has also turned pet-friendly as it has decided to offer a 50% discount in ticket prices for the pet animals carried in the buses.
Till now, all the pets were to be charged a full ticket. However, now, conductors have been instructed that the pet animals including dogs will come under the ‘half-ticket’ category!
The latest modifications have been made by the transport corporation in its circular of October 29. The circular states that earlier a passenger would be charged additional fare if they were carrying any luggage that was beyond “essential” items. However, the rules now stipulate that they will be permitted to carry up to 30 kg of luggage without paying anything extra. This 30-kg weight benchmark includes bags, suitcases, kit bags,
grocery, coconuts, ragi, rice, atta, vegetables, fruits, flowers, one item each of ceiling fan, mixer grinder etc. Any item that weighs more than 30 kg will be levied extra fare.
A KSRTC official told BM, “With the latest circular, we have now clarified the long-standing confusion related to luggage and pets. Many people who travel in KSRTC buses are those going for long distances and hence
most of them carry luggage with them.
The levy of a ticket for luggage was the bone of contention between a conductor and a passenger. This has resulted in many verbal duels as the passenger always questions the conductor saying that it is a personal item
and he should not be charged extra but conductors always claim that the luggage except personal bags are always chargeable.”
The official said as the rules were not defined properly, they were receiving a lot of complaints, which is why it was decided to frame the rules. “This will be a win-win situation for the passengers as well as the corporation
as most passengers take less than 30-kg luggage. A few who are carrying more obviously need to pay extra. We have also noticed that many passengers were carrying grocery items including rice and lentils in the bus and the conductor would charge for it.
Passengers would argue that if bags are exempted from additional cost why a rice packet charged. Now, the rules have clarified that any item under 30 kg is exempted.”
Good move
The move of allowing pets has also been welcomed by passengers. “The transport corporations need to be appreciated for allowing pets. We used to wonder why pets were to be given full tickets. Now, thankfully, the
pets are given a discount. We expect the transport corporations to be sensitive to the passengers who take their pets along with them.”
However, KSRTC officials clarified that the pets will be allowed in City, Suburban, Ordinary and Mofussil services only. However, pet animals/ birds are not allowed in premium services like Karnataka Vaibhava,
Rajahamsa, Non AC sleeper and all air-conditioned services. It may be noted that the full ticket for pets had also resulted in many heated arguments in buses. A few years ago a commuter in Chikkaballapur demanded that a full seat be reserved for his hen as he had paid an extra ticket.
The rules
According to KSRTC’s rules, rabbits, pups, cats, birds, birds in cages etc are charged at the child fare prescribed. Pet animals are allowed at the risk of accompanying passengers. Pets have to be carried in baskets, tied
with chains and facemasks.
Passengers should ensure safe keeping of pets and not to cause disturbance to other passengers / bus crew / KSRTC property.
