Bengaluru: Worried about leaving your pet companion behind when you are travelling? Well, if you are a Karnataka resident you can rejoice now as the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) allows you to take your pet along with you on board the bus at about the same fare as it may cost you.

According to new guidelines of the corporation, one passenger may carry only one animal. The ticket fare for a bigger dog will be same as that of an adult passenger, while for puppies, cat, rat, monkey, birds and other smaller animals you will have to pay a child’s fare.

The fares can be reviewd under the ‘Luggage Rates’ section of the KSRTC website since pets are classified as ‘luggage’ by the KSRTC.

The order, however warns that the owners of the animals should ensure that animals don’t create trouble for the other passengers as well as the bus staff. They should be kept on a leash so that they do not damage the asset of the corporation. If pullets are in a coop they will be considered as one unit (one unit silk cocoon of 15 kgs).

The corporation has also revised the luggage charges. In air-conditioned buses, minimum charges will be Rs. 10 and for each stage, the additional charge will be Rs.1. In other buses, minimum charge will be Rs. 5 and for each stage, the additional charge will be Rs.0.50. The transport of petrol, diesel, LPG and explosive contents has been prohibited, Transport Minister H M Revanna said.

Meanwhile, he said that the government may give Motor Vehicle Tax exemption to the four transport corporations of the state in the budget.