Punjab: Pvt bus operators flag Transport Dept’s plan

The Transport Department’s proposal to increase fixed kilometre run of mini buses on the state and national highways has miffed large-scale bus operators.

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In a draft notification, the department proposed that under the “Open Ended Mini Bus Permit Policy” the operators would be allowed to run 17 km on the state and national highways against the existing limit of 12 km.

Flagging the issue, RS Bajwa of the Punjab Motor Union said the extension should not be granted at the cost of the operators of 35 seaters and above category buses. “We are going to file objections in regard with the proposed changes,” he said.

Under the “Open Ended Mini Bus Permit Policy”, the department charges a motor vehicle tax of Rs 3,000 every quarter from mini bus operators who largely operate on rural roads. Whereas, the bus operators under the stage carriage permit pay Rs 2.82 per km to operate on the state and national highways.

Jasbindar Singh Grewal, General Secretary, Small Scale Bus Operators’ (Welfare) Association, said, “The government wants to benefit the mini bus operators at the cost of the operators running 35-seater buses and above.”