Authors
Sabloo Thomas has worked as a special correspondent with the Deccan Chronicle from 2011 to December 2019. Post-Deccan Chronicle, he freelanced for various websites and worked in the capacity of a translator as well (English to Malayalam and Malayalam to English). He’s also worked with the New Indian Express as a reporter, senior reporter, and principal correspondent. He joined Express in 2001.
Kushel HM is a mechanical engineer-turned-journalist, who loves all things football, tennis and films. He was with the news desk at the Hindustan Times, Mumbai, before joining Newschecker.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
KSRTC offering 30% discount to Hajj pilgrims in Kerala.
Fact
The discount on ticket fare is on routes where private buses are plying illegally.
Several social media users are sharing a photo of a KSRTC bus in Kerala, claiming that there is a 30% discount on bus fare for Hajj pilgrims. “Govt-owned Kerala State Road Transport Corporation offers a 30% discount to users who are travelling to Hajj House. On the other hand, KSRTC charges an extra amount from pilgrims travelling to #Sabarimala. This is Secularism, Kerala Style,” read a post.
The archived version of the tweet can be seen here.
Also read: Karnataka: Did Congress Govt Revoke Hijab Ban? No, Old Video Viral With False Claim
Fact check
Newschecker first analysed the viral photo of the KSRTC bus to Palakkad. We saw that the notices, which we marked with yellow boxes, state that there is a 30% discount on bus fares, while the notice inside the red box states that the route is “via Hajj Camp, Swalath Nagar, Malappuram”. There is no poster stating that there was a 30% discount to Hajj pilgrims who are travelling to Hajj house, raising our doubts.
A keyword search for “KSRTC 30%”, led us to this The Hindu report, dated April 14, 2023, stating that KSRTC has announced a 30% fare discount for passengers on the newly launched takeover services.
“There were complaints that private buses were conducting unauthorised services violating rules and without following any approved ticket rate. These services are conducted just ahead of the KSRTC services and cause heavy losses to the corporation. Following this, the KSRTC recently started 223 takeover services as per the direction of the state government on routes above 140km in order to benefit passengers. The corporation would offer a 30% discount on ticket fare on these routes to attract passengers, said a release issued by the Corporation,” read the article. Similar reports can be seen here and here.
What are takeover services?
“Takeover services” are reportedly the new bus services with reduced fares launched by KSRTC to curb illegal plying of private buses on specific routes, including nationalised ones, which has led to a loss in its revenue. The discounts are meant to attract passengers.
KSRTC posted the notification on its official Facebook page on April 13, 2023.
We reached out to KSRTC executive director GP Pradeep Kumar, who said, “KSRTC does not provide any travel concession to Hajj pilgrims. But there is a 30% tariff concession for takeover services.”
Also Read: Old Photo Of Sydney Opera House Lit Up With Indian Tricolour Goes Viral
Conclusion
KSRTC has not announced any 30% concession for Hajj pilgrims. The discount is for takeover services on routes where private buses are plying illegally.
Result: False
Sources
The Hindu report, April 14, 2023
KSRTC’s Facebook post, April 13, 2023
Telephone conversation with KSRTC Executive Director (Operations), GP Pradeep Kumar
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Authors
Sabloo Thomas has worked as a special correspondent with the Deccan Chronicle from 2011 to December 2019. Post-Deccan Chronicle, he freelanced for various websites and worked in the capacity of a translator as well (English to Malayalam and Malayalam to English). He’s also worked with the New Indian Express as a reporter, senior reporter, and principal correspondent. He joined Express in 2001.
Kushel HM is a mechanical engineer-turned-journalist, who loves all things football, tennis and films. He was with the news desk at the Hindustan Times, Mumbai, before joining Newschecker.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
