3 weeks ago
Bus travel costlier in MP as government hikes passenger fares
Riding the bus in Madhya Pradesh just got more expensive.
The government decided to raise the price of bus tickets.
A normal bus now costs about 2 rupees for every kilometer you travel.
Before, it was only 1.25 rupees.
Even the cheapest bus ticket will now cost at least 10 rupees.
Fancy buses with air conditioning or beds cost even more.
The reason is that fuel and running costs have gone up.
Bus companies wanted the government to help them with these costs.
They even said they would stop running buses on August 7 if things did not improve.
The government agreed to raise fares, but the bus companies say it is still not enough.
The Madhya Pradesh government revised passenger fares for all categories of stage carriage buses on Wednesday.
General bus fares rose to Rs 2 per passenger per km from Rs 1.25 per km, with the minimum fare fixed at Rs 10.
Night, Deluxe, Sleeper, Deluxe AC and Super Luxury AC buses now cost 10% to 75% more than general buses.
The revision followed private bus operators' threat of a statewide strike from midnight Aug 7 over fuel prices and operating costs.
Operators said only one of seven demands was accepted, and no clarity was given on extending bus operating life from 15 to 20 years.
- Who
- The Madhya Pradesh state government and private bus operators in the state.
- What
- The government revised passenger fares for all categories of stage carriage buses, making bus travel costlier.
- Where
- Madhya Pradesh, India; the report was filed from Bhopal.
- When
- Wednesday (the day of the fare revision), following a strike threat from midnight Aug 7; the last revision was in 2021.
- Why
- To respond to rising fuel prices and higher operating costs cited by private bus operators, who had threatened a statewide strike.
Government's Position
Bus Operators' Position
Fare hike adequacy
Government's Position
The government approved a fare revision across all bus categories, presenting it as relief to operators.
Bus Operators' Position
Operators say only one of seven demands was accepted and there is no clarity on the rest, leaving the hike insufficient.
Bus operating life
Government's Position
The government has not clarified any change to the permissible operating life of buses.
Bus Operators' Position
Operators want the operating life of buses extended from 15 years to 20 years.
Strike action
Government's Position
The fare revision addresses cost pressures and aims to keep bus services running.
Bus Operators' Position
Operators will decide on their proposed statewide strike from midnight Aug 7 after consulting members if remaining demands are not accepted.
Key facts
- General bus fare
- Rs 2 per passenger per km (up from Rs 1.25)
- Minimum fare (general buses)
- Rs 10
- Last fare revision
- 2021
- Night buses
- 10% more than general buses
- Deluxe (Non-AC) buses
- 25% more than general buses
- Sleeper buses
- 40% more than general buses
- Deluxe AC buses
- 50% more than general buses
- Super Luxury AC coaches
- 75% more than general buses
- Strike threat
- From midnight Aug 7 by private bus operators
- Operators' demands
- One of seven accepted; extension of bus operating life from 15 to 20 years unclear
Quotes
Santosh Pandey
Acting president of the bus operators' association
“The government had accepted one of the seven demands by approving the fare hike.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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