Parents brace up for a fresh round of transportation fee hike, thanks to the recent decision of the Centre to increase diesel prices by `5 per litre.

Though the price was increased by `5 a litre, it amounted to an actual increase of `6.11 a litre inclusive of all taxes in the city, forcing the schools and colleges to revise their transportation fee upwards by 30 per cent during the middle of the current academic year (2012-13) The transportation fee was already increased by 20 per cent before the commencement of new academic year in June citing increased operational and maintenance costs. Incidentally, the managements resorted to increase in transportation fee after petrol prices were increased in May, while buses run on diesel.

Most of the educational institutes collect transportation charges for every quarter (3 months). The transportation fee in a majority of the schools was `4,500 a quarter last academic year. It was increased to `5,500 this year.

Parents who paid the transportation fee for the first quarter (June to August) were asked to pay the same fee for the second quarter (September to October).
However, the decision of the Centre on September 13 to increase diesel price has prompted the managements to issue revised tariffs. Circulars are being sent to parents to pay the additional amount immediately to avail the transportation services for their wards.