Bus travel gets costlier from today
The Punjab Transport Department on Saturday increased the bus fares by 23 to 46 paise per km. This would help the state earn additional revenue of Rs 150 crore every year. The new fares would become applicable from tomorrow.
The move is also likely to further burden the state transport undertakings that allow free bus travel to women. The reimbursement claims from the state government will also go up with increase in the bus fares. “The state spends around Rs 690 crore annually on free bus travel for women. With the latest increase in fare, the annual reimbursement bill will increase by nearly Rs 50 crore,” said a senior government functionary.
The bus fares have been increased two days after the state increased the value-added tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel by 61 paise and 92 paise per litre, respectively. The Rs 3 per unit power subsidy given to consumers with load up to 7 KW was also withdrawn.
According to a notification issued by Secretary (Transport) Dil Raj Singh on Saturday, the fare for ordinary buses has been increased by 23 paise per km, while the hike is 28 paise per km for ordinary HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) buses. The fare has been increased by 41 paise per km for integral coaches and by 46 paise per km for super integral coaches.
JS Grewal of the Small Bus Operators Association said it would not benefit much in case of buses running on less than 50 km routes. “Instead of increasing the bus fares, the state should reduce the motor vehicle tax,” he added.
Officials of the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) said the increase in bus fares would offset to some extent the effect of recent hike in diesel prices that was putting extra burden on the corporation. At the same time, it would also put extra burden on the STUs that allowed free bus travel to women. The reimbursement to STUs for the free travel facility was usually delayed by the state, they added.
