BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Government, on Saturday, hiked the passenger bus fare prompting the private bus operators to call off their proposed strike.As per the new fare notified by the Commerce and Transport Department following a meeting with Odisha Private Bus Owners’ Association, the ordinary bus fare has been raised from 60 paise per km to 64 per km whereas in the express category, the hike is from 64 paise to 67 paise per km. In both slabs, the minimum will be `5 irrespective of the stretch of travel.
Similarly, the deluxe bus fare has been raised by five paise from 84 paise to 89 paise whereas the AC deluxe fare went upo to `1.11 from the existing `1.05 paise, a six paise hike. In these two slabs, the minimum fare will be `13.The association spokesperson Debashish Nayak said the hike has been effected for the first time in last two years. In 2015, it was decided to take into account 12 parameters except diesel price to consider bus fare on a fortnightly basis. This time, it will be done on a monthly basis.
The meeting, in which, the bus operators body was represented by president Prakash Mishra, secretary Debendra Sahu and treasurer Lokanath pani and co-treasurer Barada Prasad Acharya, decided that the hiked price at toll plazas will be put on hold for the time being. The Government has also agreed to reconsider the Motor Vehicle Tax.
Nayak said, the Government has also agreed to look into violation by city buses which operate outside their permitted routes on the outskirts and take a decision in two months. For this, a meeting will be held between Transport Minister with the bus operators body.Besides, a number of reforms as suggested by the operators will also be considered. The body had warned to go on strike from October 31 midnight.
