Bus fare hiked in Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: Rising fuel prices has forced the state government to hike fare of buses of different categories on Monday.
Official sources said the government has increased by two paise per kilometer in both ordinary and express buses. Ordinary buses will charge 70 paise per km as compared to the previous fare of 68 paise per km, while express buses will charge 73 paise per km against its previous rate 71 paise per km.
Similarly, four paise have been increased in fare of both Deluxe and AC Deluxe buses.The deluxe and AC deluxe bus fares have been hiked to Rs 1.01 per km and Rs 1.23 per km, respectively, said the sources.
Debendra Sahu, general secretary of Private Bus Owners’ Association, said bus fare has been increased according to the automatic fare revision mechanism. “Bus fares are increased by one paisa for every Rs 2 hike in fuel prices. After diesel price increased by at least Rs 5, the fares have been hiked by two paise for ordinary and express categories and four paise for deluxe and AC deluxe categories,” he added.
He said they do not want hike in bus fare because it will have impact on their business. “Passengers will prefer train or other mode of transports instead of bus due to increase in fare. We request both the Centre and state governments to reduce excise tax and VAT on diesel to bring down the prices of the petrol and diesel,” he added.
It is for the third time that bus fares have been hiked this year in the state.