Govt increases bus fare, residents annoyed

Ravi Chandel

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 19

After coming to power, in just 11 months, the Captain Amarinder Singh government has increased the bus fare twice.

On June 1, 2017, it had increased the fare by 3 to 6 paisa per km. Now, after eight months, the government has again increased it by 2 paisa per km.

With this, the passengers travelling to Chandigarh from Bathinda will have to pay additional Rs 5.

As per information, bus fares for semi-deluxe buses have been increased from Rs 1.19 to Rs 1.24 per km, for ordinary buses from Rs 1.02 to 1.04. Similarly, for fully air-conditioned buses, it is Rs 1.87 and for luxury air-conditioned buses, it is Rs 2.08 per km.

A PRTC employee, who did not wish to be named, said, “As per the notification, if the increase in fair is less than Rs 2.5, it will not be charged. But if it is more than Rs 2.5, it will be doubled. Clearly, the short travel commuters will not be affected by the fare hike. Besides, the fare of buses is taken in round figure like Rs 5 or Rs 10.”

As per the revised fare, the passengers travelling to Chandigarh will have to pay Rs 260, Ludhiana Rs 165, Jalandhar Rs 195, Patiala Rs 185 and Faridkot Rs 65 from Bathinda city.

For the commuters travelling to Malout, Abohar and Dabwali, the fare will remain the same, he added.

Passengers alleged that although the government had made it very clear in its notification regarding the revised fare, private bus operators will hardly follow the norm.

Manjeet Singh, a resident of Muktsar, said, “During the elections, the Congress had made many promises regarding employment, but after coming to power, instead of providing jobs, they are making our lives miserable. Now, I have to pay additional Rs 10 every day for travelling.”

Revised fare

• On June 1, 2017, the government had increased the fare by 3 to 6 paisa per km. Now, after eight months, the government has again increased it by 2 paisa per km. 
• With this, the passengers travelling to Chandigarh from Bathinda will have to pay an additional Rs 5.
• As per the revised fare, the passengers travelling to Chandigarh will have to pay Rs 260, Ludhiana Rs 165, Jalandhar Rs 195, Patiala Rs 185 and Faridkot Rs 65 from Bathinda city.