Parents will have to shell out more for pvt school buses from new academic year

BENGALURU: With diesel prices rising after the state government announced a Rs 2 per litre hike with effect from April 1, private operators of school buses have also decided to monthly fees, adding to the burden on parents.

The private school van operators has decided to increase fees from the upcoming academic year and this will mean that each student, paying about Rs 2000-2,100 per month now will have to shell out Rs 2,500-3,000 per month.

There are about 7,000 registered private school vans in Bengaluru and lakhs of children travel by them every day. The increase in diesel price will mean that parents will have to shell out more for transportation of their children.

The state government increased sales tax on diesel from 18.4 per cent to 21.1 per cent with effect from April 1, citing the need for price parity with neighbouring states. Apart from school bus operators, the Private Bus Owners Association has also announced that ticket prices will be raised by approximately 15 per cent in the state.