Kolkata, Nov. 3 -- Private bus operators in Bengal have proposed raising the minimum fare to Rs 18 in Kolkata and Rs 20 in the districts, renewing their demand for a fare revision after Durga Puja.
The Joint Council of Bus Syndicates submitted a fresh proposal to Transport minister Arjun Singh on November 2, seeking a revision of fares for ordinary, express, AC and Volvo buses, citing rising fuel prices and operating costs.
The fresh representation follows a meeting between the bus operators and the minister on September 17, when the latter had assured them that the government would consider their demand after Durga Puja. Recalling the assurance, the council has sought an early decision on the proposed fare structure.
Under the proposed structure, ordinary buses in Kolkata and adjoining areas would charge Rs 18 for the first 4 km, Rs 20 for 4-6 km, Rs 22 for 6-8 km, Rs 24 for 8-12 km, Rs 26 for 12-16 km, Rs 28 for 16-20 km and Rs 30 for 20-22 km. For ordinary buses in the districts, the proposed minimum fare is Rs 20 for the first 4 km, followed by an additional Rs 1.20 per kilometre. For express buses, the proposed minimum fare is Rs 25 for the first 4 km, with an additional Rs 1.50 per kilometre thereafter.
The council has also proposed a minimum fare of Rs 40 for the first 4 km for ordinary AC buses and Rs 50 for the first 2 km for Volvo buses. It has sought a revision of minibus fares in Howrah, Durgapur, Asansol, Malda, Darjeeling, Hili and other areas.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.