Close on the heels of the diesel hike by the Central Government, the state's major bus operator APSRTC might follow in lieu. The logic was too simple, as the transport depends on fuel for its operation and the hike is sure to affect it miserably. And passing on to the commuter looks inevitable. The APSRTC Managing Director A K Khan addressed the journos and informed that the diesel price hike will make the troubled corporation loose another Rs 350 Cr. He added that the RTC already in losses will cripple further with the hike.

In order to get over the present crisis the corporation would like to make a thorough study on the issue and would then work out the possible hike in fares. This ideal suggestions will be sent to the government for approval. However he also ascertained that the hike would be considered in such a way that neither the corporation nor the commuter would be affected much on the issue.

Hence the cat is out of the bag, soon expect the bus fares to be hiked too. Most of us who do not own a vehicle felt that fuel hike would not affect us, but this is a bolt from the blue. (With inputs from internet-AW AarKay)