LF rules out immediate transport fare hike

The Left Front in West Bengal today ruled out any immediate need for revision of fare or withdrawal of cess due to rise in petrol and diesel prices, even as transporters threatened to stop running vehicles.

"There is no question of hiking transport fare for the time being and operators have to keep patience," Left Front chairman Biman Bose said after a LF Committee meeting here.

Bose said the committee discussed the state Finance Ministers' meeting, called in Delhi on July 21, on the issue.

"Left Front is not in favour of accepting the demand for an immediate fare hike," RSP leader Kshiti Goswami said.

Transport operators, including taxis, have demanded revision of fare or withdrawal of cess, levied on commercial vehicles, and threatened to stop running vehicles in case it was not done.

Joint Council of Bus Syndicate President Sadhan Das threatened to stop running buses because of additional burden on owners due to sharp hike in prices of diesel and related inputs.

"We have called a meeting of transport operators on Tuesday to discuss our future course of action," he said.

West Bengal witnessed a transport strike on June 26 and another by taxis operators last Thursday.