Post News Network, Bhubaneswar, Feb 4: The state government Wednesday reduced bus fares by one paisa per kilometer in the state, in the context of the drop in fuel prices.
Commerce and transport minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi said, “The state government has decided to make a reduction of 1 paise per km in bus fares in ordinary, express, deluxe and AC categories for the benefit of passengers.” The revised rates would be effective with immediate effect.
After the minimal reduction, the fare for ordinary buses will reduced from 60paise per km to 59paise per km, whereas the fare of express buses will be reduced from 63paise per km to 62paise per km. While the fare of deluxe buses will be 82paise against the existing 83paise per km, the AC bus fare will be Rs 1.01paise against the existing Rs 1.02paise per km.
The minister said, “The state government is mulling another fair revision in the near future following the drop in diesel prices by Rs 2.25paise.” However, a decision will be taken after the technical committee’s recommendation that is likely soon. The state government had made the last reduction in bus fares in November.
Private bus owners association spokesperson Debashis Nayak said the government decision was welcome. Six months back, the association had recommended an automated fare regulatory mechanism for effective and timely revision of bus fares in the context of fluctuations in diesel prices. Though a technical committee of the state government visited a few states and submitted its report, a decision is yet to be taken.
