Punjab: Bus travel will become expensive from today

Punjab: The Punjab Transport Department on Saturday hiked bus fares by 23 to 46 paise per kilometre. This will fetch the state an additional revenue of Rs 150 crore every year. The new fares will come into effect from tomorrow. The move is also likely to increase the burden on state transport undertakings that provide free bus travel to women. With the hike in bus fares, the reimbursement claims from the state government will also increase. “The state spends around Rs 690 crore annually on free bus travel for women. With the recent hike in fares, the annual reimbursement bill will increase by around Rs 50 crore,” a senior government official said. The bus fare hike comes two days after the state hiked 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 The Rs 3 per unit power subsidy given to consumers with load up to 7 kW has also been withdrawn. According to a notification issued by Secretary (Transport) Dil Raj Singh on Saturday, fares for ordinary buses have been increased by 23 paise per kilometre, while for ordinary HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) buses, the hike is 28 paise per kilometre. Fares for integral coaches have been hiked by 41 paise per kilometre and for super integral coaches by 46 paise per kilometre. JS Grewal of the Small Bus Operators Association said plying buses on routes less than 50 kilometres would not yield much profit. “Instead of increasing bus fares, the state should reduce motor vehicle tax,” he said. Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) officials said the hike in bus fares would to some extent mitigate the impact of the recent hike in diesel prices, which is putting an additional burden on the corporation. Also, it would put an additional burden on STUs, which allow free bus travel to women. They said reimbursement to STUs for the free travel facility is usually delayed by the state.