Bus commuters are likely to pay more for their ride on state-run buses as Uttar Pradesh State Roadways Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) is facing financial crunch due to hike in diesel prices as well as increase in pay of staff following implementation of the recommendations of Seventh Pay Commission.
Transport minister Swatantra Dev Singh said that there was a proposal to raise bus fare but the government has not taken a final call yet.
“But I share it with you that the financial health of the Corporation is not good. We need money not only to build infrastructure like buses and bus depots, but also to provide better facilities to commuters,” Singh told ‘The Pioneer’ on Friday.
The Regulatory Board of UPSRTC has proposed a hike in bus fare by nine paise per kilometer to meet financial obligations. Sources said that the UPSRTC Board meet chaired by Praveer Kumar approved the fare hike by 9 paise - from 86 to 95 paise per kilometer.
The reason given for the hike was burden on exchequer following increase in staff salary after implementation of the recommendations of Seventh Pay Commission and increase in diesel price.
The Corporation has a 23,000 strong staff and around 15 lakh passengers daily commute across the state in UPSRTC buses.
The minister said that the Board was just a regulatory authority which gives suggestions but it requires the nod from State Transport Authority.
“We will look into the all pros and cons before taking a final call on this matter,” he said.
Singh said that the Transport department is going for a major revamp and for this the Corporation needs money. “We have decided to purchase 1000 new buses to replace the ramshackled buses plying on the roads presently. Besides, we have approved rural bus service and want to install CCTV cameras in 100 bus stands,” the minister said.
Singh said that the Corporation wanted to spruce up some bus stations and make them akin to airports and introduce luggage trolley in 10 bus terminals and approved sale of ISO standard bottled water in these stations. “This requires a lot of funds. We are looking for options on how to generate resources and fare hike is one of the options,” he said.