Bus fares hiked in Odisha again

BHUBANESWAR: Bus fares have been increased after hike in diesel price in the country. The fare was also increased a few days ago.
Fares of ordinary and express category buses increased by two paise per kilometers while fares of deluxe and AC deluxe buses increased by four paise per kilometers.
Official sources said the government has increased by two paise per kilometer in both ordinary and express buses. Ordinary buses will charge 72 paise per km as compared to the previous fare of 70 paise per km, while express buses will charge 75 paise per km against its previous rate 73 paise per km.
Similarly, four paise have been increased in fare of both Deluxe and AC Deluxe buses. The deluxe and AC deluxe bus fares have been hiked to Rs 1.05 per km and Rs 1.27 per km, respectively, said the sources.
The last bus fare hike was effected on June 16. The government had increased fares of ordinary and express category buses by three paise per kilometers. Similarly, fares of deluxe and AC deluxe buses were increased by six paise per kilometers.
Debendra Sahu, general secretary of Private Bus Owners’ Association, said bus fare has been increased according to the automatic fare revision mechanism. “Bus fares are increased by one paisa for every Rs 2 hike in fuel prices,” he added.
He said both the Centre and state governments should reduce excise tax and VAT on diesel to bring down the prices of the petrol and diesel.
Utkal Petroleum Dealers’ Association general secretary Sanjay Lath said one litre of petrol and diesel costs Rs 80.99 and Rs 78.68 respectively in Bhubaneswar. "We have witnessed hike in petrol and diesel rate by Rs 9.30 and Rs 10.98 respectively between June 7 and June 29. We have not seen price hike for last two days," he added.