Hike in bus fares leave commuters fuming

After the recent fuel price hike, the state Transport Department has also increased the bus fares by 23 paise per kilometre for ordinary buses and 28 paise for AC buses. This sudden escalation has left passengers complaining as this will make their daily commute even more expensive.

However, it may not affect the woman passengers as Punjab Roadways and PEPSU Road Transport Corporation offer them free travel, but male passengers would be affected largely with the move of the government. The male passengers alleged that the government was fleecing them to pay for the free travel of women passengers.

The bus fare escalation has undoubtedly added to the financial strain on the common man, leaving many to wonder that the Aam Adami Party government is making such decisions to burden the common man. The passengers, who often travel to Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Delhi and Bathinda from the city claimed that 28 paise hike in AC bus fare would increase the same by Rs 70 for Chandigarh and Rs 40 for Ludhiana. However, it will not affect the passengers on local routes, but the labourers and daily wagers from periphery towns and villages would also be affected.

“I am already struggling to make both ends meet, and now this increase in bus fares has added to my woes. The government should consider the common man’s plight before taking such decisions,” said Baljeet Singh, a regular commuter from Manawala village, who works in Ludhiana with a private firm.

The fare increase has also sparked concerns among passengers about the impact on their monthly budgets. Naveen Kumar, another passenger, echoed similar sentiments. “This hike will affect not just office-goers like me, but also students and senior citizens who rely on public transport. It’s unfair to burden us like this.”

Daily wagers and labourers from nearby towns will also get affected as they have to pay more for small distances. Darshan Singh, a carpenter from Fathegarh Churian, said, “Like me, it will disturb the budget of daily commuters. My bus fare will increase almost by Rs 7.”