LUCKNOW, July 22 -- The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) has reduced the Lucknow-Kanpur bus fare on the National Highway by Rs.14 to Rs.123 while fixing a higher fare of Rs.151 for buses plying on the newly inaugurated Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway. The revised fare structure, effective Wednesday, introduces route-based pricing. The earlier fare for buses operating via the National Highway was Rs.137. According to UPSRTC, the reduction follows the shifting of Kanpur-bound bus services from the Charbagh bus station to the Alambagh bus terminal, which has shortened the route and lowered operating costs. At the same time, ordinary buses using the Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway will charge Rs.151 for the same destination. Officials said the higher fare is primarily due to steep toll charges. While buses using the expressway pay Rs.1,405 in toll for a round trip, those operating via the National Highway pay only Rs.95, resulting in a significant difference in operating costs. "The fare for highway buses has been reduced because the route became shorter after the departure point was shifted from Charbagh to Alambagh. The distance between Alambagh and Banthra has reduced by about one kilometre, lowering the overall operating cost. However, travel via the expressway is comparatively expensive because of the toll charges," UPSRTC regional manager Vimal Rajan said. htc...