The State Government on Tuesday announced hike in the bus fares for all the four categories of buses, both Government and private, by five paise to eight paise per km to be effective from September 1.
The Government also fixed the new fright charges for the State carriages. However, there was no hike in the town bus fare at present, according to a notification issued by the Commerce and Transport Department.
The Government had last hiked the bus fares less than a year ago, on October 5, 2013.
While the fares in case of ordinary and express buses have now been increased by five paise each from maximum 59 paise to 64 paise and 62 paise to 67 paise, respectively, subject to a minimum of Rs 5 irrespective of km travelled, there is a hike of seven paise in case of deluxe bus from 82 paise to 89 paise subject to a minimum of Rs 13 irrespective of km travelled.
The maximum rate of fare in case of deluxe AC bus has been fixed at 108 paise against the present rate of 100 paise subject to a minimum of Rs 13 irrespective of km travelled.
The decision for the upward revision of the fare came on the last day of the ultimatum given by the All Odisha Private Bus Owners’ Association, which had threatened to go on indefinite strike from August 20 if its demand was not considered.
However, there was no reference in the notification to the oft-repeated demand by the bus operators for formulation of a mechanism for automatic hike and reduction of fares in the event of the rise and fall in the oil prices.
On new freight charges, the notification said free luggage facility up to 15 kg per person shall be allowed to in stage carriages. Additional luggage charge shall be collected at the rate of 7 paise per km for every additional 20 kg.
The Government also allowed full concession in bus fare in case of HIV/AIDS-affected persons, total blind persons, mentally-tetarded persons and orthopaedically-challenged persons with 50 to 100 per cent bodily deformity while 50 per cent concession would be allowed to their escorts. Similarly 50 per cent concession would be allowed in case of orthopaedically-challenged with 40 to 49 per cent deformity.
The concession in fare shall be applicable in all categories of stage carriages, both Government and private, on production of identity cards, authenticated proof from the competent authorities like BDO, Commissioner, Executive Officer of Municipal Corporation or Municipality, NACs or DSWOs or State AIDS Cell.
The amount of fare where there is a fraction of less than 50 paise chargeable shall be rounded to the nearest lower rupee, and where the fare is more than 50 paise, it would be rounded up to the next higher rupees.
The Government made it compulsory for every stage carriage to display at a conspicuous place in the bus its category and the per-km bus fare chargeable from passengers along with concessions available for information of the passengers.